Govt reveals what killed BC's farmed salmon

[Sushihunter]

http://www.fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?monthyear=&day=1&id=38411&l=e&special=&ndb=1%20target=

Govt reveals what killed BC's farmed salmon

CANADA
Friday, October 01, 2010, 23:40 (GMT + 9)

Eighty per cent of the Atlantic salmon mortalities at British Columbian (BC) farms last year were not due to infectious diseases, according to an audit done by the provincial government. The findings were reported in the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands’ Animal Health Branch – Fish Health Report for 2009.

Atlantic salmon at the farm level exhibited the following infectious diseases: mouth myxobacteriosis was found in 11 per cent of the dead fish and the viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) virus’s North America strain was present in 4 per cent of the cases.

Fifty-nine per cent of the dead Pacific salmon at the farm level were found free of infectious diseases, while 35 per cent were found have died from bacterial kidney disease and 6 per cent from vibriosis, Westcoaster reports.

All the diseases are endemic to BC wild fish populations. The industry is abiding by the 2008-9 sea lice management strategy, according to the report.

It also found that, since 2004, sea lice abundance in wild and farmed salmon has fallen, except for a minor rise in the autumn of last year.

The ministry went through 116 salmon-farm health audits and samples from 585 fish known as “silvers” - dead fish that still have silver skins - to reach its results.

The BC Government sampled approximately 8-10 per cent of silver carcasses.

Coordinator of the Living Ocean Society’s salmon farm campaign Will Soltau said that the audit seems to demonstrate the sector is in compliance and their reporting accurate. Nevertheless, the audit does not cover the health of wild salmon.

He said wild salmon will be exposed to less risk if aquaculture companies shift to closed-containment systems.

And the BC Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA) informed there were no findings of infectious salmon anemia (ISA) and that only naturally occurring pathogens were identified. Sea-lice levels were low, meaning farms are managing that situation well.

"These fish health reports simply show that a well-managed industry can operate in harmony with the natural environment,” said Mary Ellen Walling, executive director of the BCSFA. "We know that our farms are well-managed and that our fish as well-cared for – so it's good to see the province confirm that information for the public."

Specific findings for Southwest Vancouver Island presented in the report showed that 15 of 19 carcasses from farms did not carry infectious disease. However, three cases showed myxobacteriosis and two showed mouth VHS.

As well, researchers found one case of rickettsiosis, one of bacterial infection and another of furunculosis.

Related article:


- Report confirms farmed salmon health

By Natalia Real
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com



Jim's Fishing Charters
www.JimsFishing.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/Sushihunter250

 

[Charlie]

“Fifty-nine per cent of the dead Pacific salmon at the farm level were found free of infectious diseases, while 35 per cent were found have died from bacterial kidney disease and 6 per cent from vibriosis, Westcoaster reports.”

WOW… That is great news!
Only 41% of the Atlantic fish farms are transmitting “TWO” highly contagious and “LETHAL” diseases to the wild salmon!

To put this in prospective… they are going to expose YOU to a disease introduced in British Columbia, but don’t worry there hasn't been a reports of the "Black Plague" reported, yet! So, only 41% of you of the human population is going to die! You could be one of those lucky remaining 59%! How do you like those odds of survival?

Yep, no problems there? The moon really is made of “green cheese”, also!

Bacterial Kidney Disease
Epidemiology
• Morbidity rate is high, due to vertical transmission.
• Mortality is delayed but may become serious in highly infected populations.
http://www.spaquaculture.com/default.aspx?pageid=533

Most recorded outbreaks of BKD have occurred in fish culture facilities, and the spread of BKD has followed the expansion of salmonid culture (25). Clinical BKD has also been reported in feral fish (5, 36, 39, 45), including naturally spawning populations that have never been supplemented with hatchery fish (22, 51). Whereas the chronic nature of the disease has hindered accurate estimates of fish losses, particularly in feral fish populations, BKD remains one of the most important bacterial diseases affecting cultured salmonids. Losses as high as 80% in stocks of Pacific salmon and 40% in stocks of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) have been reported (25).
http://www.oie.int/eng/normes/fmanual/manual2006/a_00028.htm

Vibrosis is one of the most prevalent fish diseases caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Vibrio. Vibriosis caused by Vibrio anguillarum has been particularly devastating in the marine culture of salmonid fish.
Vibriosis occurs in cultured and wild marine fish in salt or brackish water, particularly in shallow waters during late summer. It was originally believed that scavenger fish feeding around the farms were the natural reservoir of V. anguillarum, and contact between fish seems to be an important factor for the spread of this pathogen. However, there is evidence that V. anguillarum is normally present in the food of cultured and wild healthy fish. The temperature and quality of the water, the virulence of the V. anguillarum strain and stress on the fish are important elements influencing the onset of disease outbreaks.

Outbreaks affecting close to 50 species of fresh and salt-water fishes have been reported in several countries in the Pacific, as well as the Atlantic coasts. The losses produced by this disease are so disastrous that vibriosis caused by V. anguillarum has been recognized as a major obstacle for salmonid marine culture.

Outbreaks affecting close to 50 species of fresh and salt-water fishes have been reported in several countries in the Pacific, as well as the Atlantic coasts. The losses produced by this disease are so disastrous that vibriosis caused by V. anguillarum has been recognized as a major obstacle for salmonid marine culture.
http://www.spaquaculture.com/default.aspx?pageid=528

 

[SpringFever552]

quote:Originally posted by Charlie

“Fifty-nine per cent of the dead Pacific salmon at the farm level were found free of infectious diseases, while 35 per cent were found have died from bacterial kidney disease and 6 per cent from vibriosis, Westcoaster reports.”

WOW… That is great news!
Only 41% of the Atlantic fish farms are transmitting “TWO” highly contagious and “LETHAL” diseases to the wild salmon!

Charlie , WRONG
try rereading the first 3 pargraphs of Sushihunter's post, is it just me or are they not talking of individual fish,NOT 41% of all fish farms,and comparing deaths of farmed Atlantics (1st&2nd par) to farmed Pacifics(3rd par)? and that the report is,if you read between the lines, saying that Atlantics are safer? to farm than Pacifics.
but hey I've been wrong before...

P.S.you might want to rethink your Black Plague theory also, doesnt make sence... 41% of ALL fish farmed did NOT die...

 

[Charlie]

quote:Originally posted by SpringFever552

quote:Originally posted by Charlie

“Fifty-nine per cent of the dead Pacific salmon at the farm level were found free of infectious diseases, while 35 per cent were found have died from bacterial kidney disease and 6 per cent from vibriosis, Westcoaster reports.”

WOW… That is great news!
Only 41% of the Atlantic fish farms are transmitting “TWO” highly contagious and “LETHAL” diseases to the wild salmon!

Charlie , WRONG
try rereading the first 3 pargraphs of Sushihunter's post,

Well, unfortunately - sorry I AM NOT WRONG!

Boy, did you miss the whole point of my post? Or, did you? It had nothing to do with accurate numbers or the TRUE picture of what is going on! As neither that article or the 2009 Animal Health Branch – Fish Health report gives you either!

Maybe rather than reading the first three paragraphs, YOU should take the time to read and study the WHOLE 2009 Animal Health Branch – Fish Health report? The link is below.

quote: is it just me or are they not talking of individual fish,NOT 41% of all fish farms,and comparing deaths of farmed Atlantics (1st&2nd par) to farmed Pacifics(3rd par)? and that the report is,if you read between the lines, saying that Atlantics are safer? to farm than Pacifics.
but hey I've been wrong before...

It is you! They aren’t really talking about anything, except their audit of the “industries records” and their findings in, “The ministry went "through" 116 salmon-farm health audits and samples from 585 fish known as “silvers” - dead fish that still have silver skins - to reach its results. The BC Government sampled approximately "8-10 per cent" of silver carcasses.” Yep, the BC Government ONLY sampled approximately 8-10 per cent of silver carcasses? It is NOT the number of dead fish experienced by a fish farm or any fish farm - just the ones provided and available "by the industry" to examine. And, we ain’t talk’n Coho!

“During audits, about 25% of the routine fish mortality are categorised as “silvers”. Silvers are fresh carcasses that still have silver skin. This group of dead fish are used as best indicators of active disease in the robust living population. Roughly 8 to 10% of those silver carcasses are sampled and tested by BCMAL for cause of death and specific infectious diseases.” Well it seems we are "MISSING" information on about 92-90% of those other dead "silvers', doen't it! Let alone how about missing 100% of ALL the other DEAD Atlantic salmon?

quote: P.S.you might want to rethink your Black Plague theory also, doesnt make sence... 41% of ALL fish farmed did NOT die...

NO, I don’t need to rethink my Black Plaque theory! You might want to rethink – your thinking! Canada (like the Obama administration) LOVES to ignore details and provide “summaries”! Want an example? Let's say the population of Vitoria is 78,659. Vancouver Island 745,555. British Columbia 4,419,974. Canada 33,100,000. Now everyone in Victoria died of the Black Plague. If that was Pacific salmon, what you would hear is “we did a study of the disease problems in Canada associated with the plague, and we want to re-assure everyone there was “only” 24% of all Canadians exposed to the plague. Eighty per cent of the mortalities in British Columbia were not due to any “monitored” infectious diseases, according to an audit done by the provincial government. Mortality levels exhibited the following infectious diseases: mouth myxobacteriosis was found in 11 per cent of the dead was virus’s North America strain was present in 4 per cent of the cases. Fifty-nine per cent of the dead were found free of infectious diseases, while 35 per cent were found have died from kidney disease and 6 per cent from vibriosis. All the diseases are endemic to BC. There is No scientific evidence published that we will accept to prove otherwise! And the doctors are not releasing any information to prove otherwise! Yep, give me enough money and I can convince you the moon is made of green cheese!

Now this might really surprise some? Take a look at who wrote BOTH that particular article, and the Animal Health Branch – Fish Health? Surprise – surprise!

Let me recap them for you!

Fish Information & Services (FIS):
Overview: FIS, the web site of Fish Information & Services, is widely recognized as the standard for global seafood industry information on the Internet.

Founded in 1995 by professionals deeply engaged in the seafood industry, the site delivers the most reliable, timely, comprehensive worldwide fishing, seafood, and aquaculture information and we do it daily in three languages: Japanese, English and Spanish.

Active members in Canada:
BCSFA -BC Salmon Farmers Association
Bluewater Seafoods Inc
Breakers Fish Company Ltd.
CANFISCO -Canadian Fishing Company
Connors Bros. Ltd.
Cooke Aquaculture Inc.
Esqu
Ocean Choice International Inc.
Tradex Foods Inc.
True North Salmon Company Ltd
The True North Salmon Company is the operating arm of Cooke Aquaculture
7 Seas Fish Co. Ltd.
Admiral Fish Farms Ltd.
Aqua Star Canada, Corp.
Aquatron Laboratory
ATC -Aero Trading Co., Ltd.
Atlantic Coast Seafood Inc.
Canadian Gold Seafood Company
CANJAM TRADING LTD.
Clover Leaf Seafoods
Cold Water Fisheries Inc.
Export Packers Company Limited International
Finest at Sea Ocean Products Ltd.
Fresh Atlantic Seafood.com
GAF -Gray Aqua Farms Ltd.-
Gold Seal
Great Glacier Salmon / WILDSALMON CANADA LTD.
Grieg Seafood BC Ltd
Icicle Seafoods Inc. (Canada)
Inter-Canada Fisheries
ITOCHU Canada Ltd.
Keltic Seafoods Limited
Lions Gate Fisheries Ltd.
Mainstream Canada
Marine Harvest Canada
Maruha-Nichiro Corp.
MITSUI & CO (CANADA) LTD
Moncton Fish Market
Nexus Seafood Trading Ltd
North Delta Seafoods Ltd
Ocean Beauty Seafoods Canada, Ltd.
Polar Foods International Inc.
Rio Import & Export Ltd.
Sea Leather Wear
Seafoodexport Canada
Shediac Fresh Seafood Inc.
Sirena Canada Inc.
SYSCO FOOD SERVICE-KONINGS WHOLESALE
The Heritage Salmon Co Inc
Unifood -Les Aliments Unifood Inc.-
Walcan Sseafood Ltd.
http://www.fis.com/fis/mediakit/new/overview-e.html

2009 Ministry of Agriculture and Lands
Animal Health Branch – Fish Health
1.2 Mandate and Background
In response to the 1997 Environmental Assessment Review of Aquaculture, the government of BC developed a comprehensive policy to improve the monitoring of fish disease on salmon farms and to establish governance of health management in the aquaculture industry. The Fish Health Program was implemented in 2001, requiring salmon producers to document their health management plans, and to engage in mandatory standard reporting. BCMAL uses these reports and its own findings to monitor health aspects of fish cultured at private and public facilities.

1.3 Objectives
The overriding objectives of the provincial Fish Health Program are to monitor and minimise the risks of disease in farmed fish, and to facilitate public and agency confidence that aquaculture health management in BC occurs at a high standard. The cornerstone of this program is the salmon Health Management Plan (HMP). These corporate management plans encompass all aspects of salmon farming that can affect the health of the animals at the aquaculture facility. Since 2003, all private companies and public salmon culture facilities have developed and maintained a current HMP specific to their facility. For private companies and the provincially licenced public facilities, the HMP remains enforceable as a Term & Condition of an aquaculture licence.
Another objective of the program is to ensure access to accurate and verifiable data on the disease status of cultured salmon. For salmon aquaculture, all commercial facilities in freshwater and saltwater are required to report site-specific information to the BC Salmon Farmers Association#8223;s (BCSFA) industry database on a monthly basis. Companies must report all mortality, causes of mortality and Fish Health Events (FHE) 1. From that database, quarterly reports of industry#8223;s fish health status are submitted to government and posted for public viewing on the Animal Health Branch – Fish Health website. On-site health monitoring and reporting of disease status are requirements under the HMP and compliance monitoring is built-in to the system.

1 Fish Health Event (FHE), for the purpose of industry database reporting and this program, is defined as an active disease occurrence or a suspected infectious event on a farm that triggers: 1) veterinary involvement and 2) an action, such as: lab diagnosis, recommendation/report, husbandry change, prescription medication, further investigation, etc. where such action is intended to reduce or mitigate risk associated with that event.
http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/ahc/fish_health/Fish_Health_Report_2009.pdf

Did you note, “The overriding objectives of the provincial Fish Health Program are to monitor and minimise the risks of disease in farmed fish, and to facilitate public and agency confidence that aquaculture health management in BC occurs at a high standard.”

Surprise – Surprise – Surprise!
Yep, no biases there!

 

[Hoochiebob]

Essentially what the BC gov't findings say is "It looks OK,so we are going to leave them alone"
In the interim, Mr Blue Collar gets a 24 hr roadside suspension and his vehicle towed because he had a beer.

Big business 1,little guy 0


Hooch
"They say blood is thicker than water- is that why my bilge pump doesn't work?"