CLIMATE RISK

Storm Kristin causes severe damage to Portuguese aquaculture

Portugal, 3 February 2026 | The Centre region and the Algarve have been affected, according to the Portuguese Aquaculture Association

Ola durante tormenta

Storm Kristin has caused significant damage to Portuguese aquaculture, with the most severe impacts reported in the Centre region of the country and, in particular, on Morraceira Island (Figueira da Foz), one of Portugal’s main estuarine aquaculture areas.

Farms in the Algarve have also been affected, according to information released by the Portuguese Aquaculture Association (APA).

The storm, marked by strong winds, heavy rainfall and episodes of intense swell, has damaged critical infrastructure essential for daily farm operations. Reported losses include solar panels, building roofs, bird-protection nets, automatic feeders and aeration systems.

One of the most serious consequences highlighted by producers is the destruction of anti-predators’ nets. Their loss leads to the immediate arrival of cormorant flocks, which can rapidly attack fish stocks, increasing production losses beyond the initial material damage.

Companies such as FigueiraFish, Bivaqua, Rustiventur and Stolt Sea Farm in central Portugal, as well as Aqualvor, Piscicultura Farense and Piscicultura Vale da Lama in the south, have reported damage to equipment and essential systems. At this stage, the full extent of the losses remains unknown, particularly for offshore farms, as producers have not been able to access their installation due to unfavourable sea conditions.

The APA has formally notified the Managing Authority for Mar 2030, the Directorate-General of Natural Resources, Safety and Maritime Services (DGRM), and the relevant Secretary of State, and is awaiting support measures to help mitigate the economic impact and support recovery efforts.

As previously reported by misPeces, the effects of Storm Kristin have extended beyond Portuguese water. Three floating offshore aquaculture cages were found las Thursday on the beach of Punta Umbria (Huelva, Spain) after being dragged ashore by the same weather system that affected the Portuguese Atlantic coast and south-western Iberia.

According to local authorities, the structures originated in Portugal, although the exact farm and location of origin have not yet been confirmed. To date, no fish escapes or environmental impacts have been reported, and the owner of the structures has not been publicly identified.

Pending further clarification from the Portuguese authorities, Storm Kristin once again highlights the high vulnerability of aquaculture infrastructure to extreme weather events, underlining the need to strengthen both structural resilience and emergency response strategies across the sector.