Seasonality of QPX disease in the Raritan Bay (NY) wild hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) population

Quahog Parasite Unknown (QPX) is a potentially lethal pathogen of the hard clam Mercenaria mercenaria along the northeastern coast of the United States. In the Raritan Bay wild clam population, QPX prevalence and infection intensity at three sites were examined by both histology and quantitative PCR in 2006. At two of three sites, QPX infection showed a seasonal pattern, with prevalence and weighted prevalence increasing through the spring, peaking in the summer and declining in the fall, while at the other site, the highest QPX prevalence and infection intensity were observed in the spring although overall prevalence at this site was generally low. Our data suggested that temperature may be an important environmental factor regulating the seasonal pattern of QPX disease in wild clams but also demonstrated that seasonal patterns vary from site to site, possibly linked to the clam density or other environmental factors. Over‐winter sampling and further investigations focusing on environmental factors, clam density and clam mortality as related to QPX infection are needed to better characterize and understand the seasonality of QPX disease.     

A survey of the health status of the Manila clam <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ruditapes philippinarum</Emphasis> in Ireland with specific reference to brown ring disease

The present work investigated the health status of the Manila clam in Ireland, with particular reference to brown ring disease (BRD) caused by V. tapetis which has been responsible for high mortalities of this bivalve throughout Europe. BRD was diagnosed in Ireland in the 1990s, causing heavy mortalities in Manila clam stocks in the north-west coast. In the current study, samples of clams from an Irish hatchery were obtained and screened from two sites, Drumcliff Bay, Co. Sligo and Dungloe Bay, Co. Donegal. Turbellarians and trematodes with some minor infections were the only parasites observed. Clams were examined for BRD, by analysis of shell valves for brown ring signs, and for V. tapetis by microbiological methods and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). BRD was not diagnosed in cultivated clams from either site. It was, however, diagnosed in residual clams, which had survived the initial outbreak of BRD in the 1990s in Dungloe Bay. V. tapetis, however was detected in clams from both sites. Additionally, BRD was diagnosed, and V. tapetis isolated, in a once-off sample of clams from Mulroy Bay, Co. Donegal, where clams had been on-grown from imported seed. Minor heterogeneity at the 16S rDNA gene was observed between some sequenced products from Mulroy Bay and from Drumcliff Bay and Dungloe Bay indicating that in addition to V. tapetis, a V. tapetis-like strain may have been present in Mulroy Bay. The detection of V. tapetis in asymptomatic clams in Drumcliff Bay and Dungloe Bay may indicate that disease development may only occur when a number of factors combine to induce disease symptoms.     

Field and laboratory transmission studies of haemic neoplasia in the soft‐shell clam,Mya arenaria,from Atlantic Canada

A two‐year laboratory and field study was initiated in 2001 in response to mass mortalities associated with haemic neoplasia (HN) in 1999 in Prince Edward Island (PEI) soft‐shell clams, Mya arenaria. A laboratory proximity experiment (cohabitation) and an inoculation challenge were conducted with clams and mussels (Mytilus edulis). Three field exposure experiments were also conducted, in which naive clams were held in sediment (in trays) or out of sediment (in mesh bags) at three high HN prevalence sites on PEI. There was a conversion to HN positive in clams in the proximity experiment and in clams injected with whole blood and cell‐free homogenate, but not at statistically significant levels. No mussels or control clams became HN positive. There was a significant conversion to HN positive in as little as 24 and 58 days after transfer with clams held out of sediment and in sediment, respectively. The laboratory and field experiments’ results suggest that HN‐infected clams are spreading the disease through water from infected clams to naïve individuals and via transplantation from affected to unaffected sites. Some environmental conditions (e.g. abnormally high water temperature and hypoxia‐induced sea lettuce [Ulva lacteus] invasion) may make clams susceptible to infections or exacerbate the proliferation of HN.     

Distribution of haemic neoplasia of soft‐shelled clams in Prince Edward Island: an examination of anthropogenic factors and effects of experimental fungicide exposure

Haemic neoplasia was first considered a disease of concern for soft‐shell clams in Prince Edward Island (PEI) when it was diagnosed as the cause of mass mortalities in 1999. The aetiology of the disease remains elusive, but has been associated with environmental degradation. In this study, a 2‐year (2001–2002) geographic and seasonal survey was conducted for haemic neoplasia, using histology, in soft‐shell clams from PEI. In addition, using geographic information system, the association between anthropogenic factors in the watersheds at sites affected by haemic neoplasia and the prevalence of the disease was investigated. Finally, histopathological changes were assessed in soft‐shell clams experimentally exposed to four concentrations of chlorothalonil for 27 days. Haemic neoplasia could not be induced at any concentration of chlorothalonil. Clams exposed to a concentration of 1000 μg L^?1 of the fungicide, however, exhibited an LC50 of 17 days. Although this information provides additional toxicity information (LC50) for soft‐shell clams, further experiments are required to assess longer term exposure to the fungicide. The highest prevalences of haemic neoplasia in PEI were found in North River and Miscouche (28.3–50.9% and 33.0–77.8%, respectively). No clear seasonal patterns were found. There was a correlation between haemic neoplasia prevalence and watersheds with a high percentage of potato acreage and forest coverage (P = 0.026 and P = 0.045, respectively), suggesting a link between anthropogenic activity and the prevalence of the disease.     

Abundance and culture trials of Ruditapes philippinarum (Adam and Reeve, 1850), and abundance of Tellina (Quidnipagus) palatum (Iredale, 1929) at two sites in Kāne'ohe Bay,O'ahu,Hawai'i

Abundance, length‐frequencies and distribution of Ruditapes philippinarum (Manila Clams) and Tellina (Quidnipagus) palatum were measured at two beaches in Kāne'ohe Bay, O'ahu, Hawai'i in June, 2010. Abundances had decreased from 866.2 m^?2 to 3.4 m^?2 for Ruditapes and from 75.5 m^?2 to 1.5 m^?2 for T. palatum since 1977. Distribution of both species was patchy, but both were most commonly found >40 m from shore. Size frequencies of live clams compared with empty shells suggest that few Ruditapes survive to sexual maturity. A similar trend was not detected for T. palatum. Aquaculture trials of R. philippinarum were conducted at the He'eia and Moli'i traditional Hawaiian fishponds in the same bay. The clams failed to thrive, although triploid and diploid Crassostrea gigas performed well in concurrent trials in the same fishponds. Current lower abundances for wild R. philippinarum could be due to factors related to predation or nutrient limitations. Previously, two large sewage outfalls existed at the surveyed clam bed areas which may have temporarily increased nutrient availability for both wild and cultured clams. Current nutrient levels may inhibit Manila clam growth and recruitment in Kāne'ohe Bay.     

Application of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the study of reproduction in the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum (Mollusca: Bivalvia): II. Impacts of Perkinsus olseni on clam reproduction

We investigated the effects of infection by the protozoan Perkinsus olseni on the reproduction of female Manila clams, Ruditapes philippinarum, from a population in Gomso Bay, Korea. The reproductive effort of the clams was assessed by ELISA using a clam egg-specific antibody and was expressed as a weight-based gonadosomatic index (GSI). The number of Perkinsus infecting each clam was estimated from the gills using Ray's fluid thioglycollate medium (RFTM) along with a NaOH digestion assay. We found that reproductive effort was negatively correlated with the intensity of the Perkinsus infection: more heavily infected clams produced fewer eggs during the spawning period from May to August. Frequency of spawning was also negatively correlated with the level of Perkinsus infection; heavily infected clams (HIC) exhibited a single spawning pulse in late July, whereas lightly infected clams (LIC) showed three spawning peaks in mid-May, late July, and late August. Egg production of HIC was only 30–75% of LIC during spawning. The level of total protein in LIC was also higher year round than in HIC. In conclusion, our investigation demonstrates that a high level of Perkinsus infection affects spawning frequency and reduces egg production, which may have long-term impacts on clam recruitment and population growth.     

Quantifying the impact of temperature variation on birnavirus transmission dynamics in hard clams Meretrix lusoria

Susceptibility of hard clams Meretrix lusoria to birnavirus (BV) infections caused by temperature variations, from a mechanistic perspective, has rarely been explored. We used a deterministic susceptible–infectious–mortality (SIM) model to derive temperature-dependent key epidemiologic parameters based on data sets of viral infections in hard clams subjected to acute temperature changes. To parameterize seasonal pattern dependence, we estimated monthly based cumulative mortality and basic reproduction numbers (R₀) between 1997 and 2017 by way of statistical analysis. Two alternative disease control models were also proposed to assess status of controlled temperature-mediated BV infection by using, respectively, control reproduction number (R_C)-control line criterion and removal strategy-based control measure. We showed that based on R_C-control strategy, when temperatures ranged from 15 to 26.8°C, proportion of susceptible hard clams removed should be at least 0.22%. Based on removal-control strategy, we found that by limiting pond water temperature to 25–30°C, together with increased removal rates and periods to remove hard clams, it is better to remove hard clams from June and August to reduce both mortality rate and spread of BV. Our results can be used to monitor BV transmission potential in hard clams that will contribute to government control strategy to eradicate future BV epidemics.     

The effect of Manila clam cultivation on an intertidal benthic community: the early cultivation phase

With increasing awareness of the use of the coastal zone, it is necessary to understand the potential environmental effects of aquaculture practices. This is especially important when non-native species, which may be competitively superior to native species, are cultivated. A 5-year experiment was established to study the environmental effects of the various stages of Manila clam. Tapes philippinarum Adams & Reeve, cultivation, from seeding, through on-growing, harvesting and post-harvesting. The aim was to monitor changes in biological and physical variables in the sediment which may be useful in formulating an environmental management strategy for the cultivation of this species. This paper describes the biological and physical changes that occur in the sediment during the early phase of clam cultivation. We compared the changes in netted plots (with and without clams) and unnetted control areas, 6 months before and after laying the clams. The clams were planted in April 1992 under netting at a density of 500 m^-2 (0.16 kg m^-2), and in 6 months, had increased their weight to 3.2 kg m^-2 but decreased their number to 410 m^-2. A significant, but small increase in organic content (net only plots, 3.37%; control plots 2.42%) and in phaeopigment (netted plots, 8.6 mg m^-2; control, 5.6 mg m^-2) of the sediment in the netted plots relative to the control areas were seen. Short-term sedimentation rates on the netted plots were up to four times higher than in the control areas. The netting also encouraged the settlement of Enteromorpha sp. which, in turn, attracted Littorina littorea to feed on these plots. The infaunal community in the control areas was similar to that in samples 12 months earlier and continued to be dominated by the predatory polychaete Nephtys hombergii. Netted plots (with and without clams) had a greater abundance of deposit feeding polychaetes. particularly Ampharete acutifrons and Pygospio elegans, which were the dominant fauna in these plots. Within the clam treatments, the density of clams had a negative effect on the abundance of cirratulids, although mean abundance was generally greater than in the control areas. There were few physical changes to the experimental area after 6 months. The most important effect appears to be the increased sedimentation rate over plots with netting, which has led to an increase in productivity of those areas.     

Growth,mortality and reproduction of the transplanted Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum Adams & Reeve 1850) in Jiaozhou Bay

Samples of Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum Adams & Reeve 1850) were collected from May 2004 to April 2005 monthly, and plankton net trawling of planktonic larvae and bottom sediment sampling surveys were further conducted from May to October 2006 in Jiaozhou Bay. Based on the data collected, growth, mortality and reproduction of the transplanted Manila clam and the environmental effects were examined. The results showed that the enhanced clams grew well and showed a growth trend similar to the local wild ones. The main growth periods lasted from April to September, with the water temperature being the main factor affecting the growth, which was the same as that of the wild clams. There were also two reproduction cycles for the farmed Manila clams each year in Jiaozhou Bay and the main breeding period was from May to June. The phenomenon of delayed metamorphosis was quite common through larval development. The farmed clams could spawn when they reached sexual maturity, but they could not perform effective recruitment as many planktonic larvae died during metamorphosis and settlement. A preliminary study indicated that sediment perturbation and marine environment pollution were the main factors causing the death of larvae in the development process.     

Protein expression profiling in haemocytes and plasma of the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum in response to infection with Perkinsus olseni

The protein expression profiling in clam haemocytes and plasma in response to Perkinsus olseni was addressed. Adult Manila clams from a P. olseni‐free bed were experimentally challenged with parasite zoospores to analyse immune response. In another experiment, the effects of longer term infection were assessed in adult clams collected from a P. olseni‐affected bed, by comparing moderate to very heavily infected clams with non‐infected ones. Haemocyte and plasma proteins were separated by two‐dimensional electrophoresis; spot patterns were qualitatively compared between treatments within each experiment and the spots indicating differential protein expression associated with P. olseni challenge or with field infection were processed for protein identification. Fifteen clam proteins (four in haemocytes and eleven in plasma) of which expression was markedly affected by P. olseni were identified. Some of the identified proteins have a well‐known role in clam immune response against the parasite, such as lysozyme and lectins. Rho GTPase‐activating protein 6 could be a marker of resistance against P. olseni, which should be further studied.     

Effect of antiprotozoal drugs on the proliferation of the bivalve parasite Perkinsus olseni

The protozoan parasite Perkinsus olseni causes severe losses among Ruditapes decussatus clams. The development of an in vitro culture of this parasite together with the use of a proliferation assay has provided the opportunity to screen for drug sensitivity of this parasite. Xenobiotics known for their antimalarial and antiprotozoal properties were tested against P. olseni. Only four of these drugs, namely cycloheximide, pyrimethamine, deferoxamine (DFO) and 2,2-bipyridyl (BIP), showed in vitro inhibitory effect on the parasite proliferation. Two in vivo experiments were designed to determine the effect of iron chelators on reducing P. olseni infection in clams. For this purpose, naturally infected clams from the Ria Formosa, Portugal, were exposed to DFO and BIP at various concentrations. In the first experiment, hemolymph samples were taken from each clam before and after treatment to determine the infection intensity and in the second experiment, clams were randomly distributed in groups of five and the parasite burden in treated and untreated groups was determined at the end of the experiment on the whole clam wet tissues. Only DFO was found to be effective in reducing in vivo P. olseni infections. In addition, acute toxicity of DFO and BIP has been determined and no mortality of Perkinsus-free clams was observed.     

Growing Giant Clam (Tridacna Derasa) in Aquaculture Effluent

Juvenile giant clams (Hippopus spp. and Tridacna spp.) are highly valuable and popular in the aquarium trade due to their brightly colored mantles with various patterns. Giant clams are unique bivalves in that they possess symbiotic zooxanthellae (Symbiodinium). A previous study by the authors demonstrated the feasibility of culturing giant clams in aquaculture effluent. Among the four species tested (Tridacna derasa, T. gigas, T. maxima, and T. squamosa), T. derasa was the most suitable for culturing in effluent. The present study compared the growth, survivorship, and condition indexes of T. derasa (mean initial shell length about 83mm) cultured in fish culture effluent or seawater for six months. The clams grew significantly faster (1.29 vs. 0.93mm shell length/month) and had marginally significant (p = 0.076) higher survivorship (94.1% vs. 77.7%) than those in control seawater. Total (shell and tissue) and tissue weight indexes (g/mm shell length), and mitotic index (% dividing zooxanthellae) were similar between the treatment and control clams; whereas zooxanthellae density (number of zooxanthellae/g clam tissue) of the clams in the effluent tanks was 2.5 times higher than that in control tanks.     

Recruitment and movement of the hard clam Meretrix lusoria in a tidal river of northern Kyushu,Japan

Size-frequency distributions of Meretrix lusoria, a commercially important bivalve in Japan, were compared among 6 sites in tidal flats of a small river in Kafuri Bay, northern Kyushu, Japan during 2006–2008. In Kafuri Bay, the hard clam resource is strictly managed and mean biomass of this species on the fishing ground (about 1.5 km²) exceeded 1.5 kg m^?2 in 2008. Small clams (<5 mm in shell length, SL) were most abundant in the border area between the river and the sea, while large clams (>40 mm SL) were rare there. In contrast, in the lower site of the marine area (site L), most clams were >30 mm SL. These results indicate that small clams move from riverine to marine areas with growth (post-settlement movement). Year-round, very small clams (<1 mm SL) were present and clams that were 2–5 mm SL were very rare, although the spawning season is thought to occur in summer. Probably, the early growth of many new recruits is very slow and most may even be <1 mm SL in the next spring, although some clams grow to >5 mm SL in a short period of time.     

Can giant clam (Tridacna squamosa) populations be restored on Singapore's heavily impacted coral reefs?

• 1. Giant clams have been a sustainable resource for millennia, but unregulated harvesting has led to local extinctions within the Indo‐Pacific region. Giant clam mariculture can produce large numbers of juveniles for restocking wild populations where natural recruitment is low or absent.
• 2. Singapore is surrounded by more than 60 small islands, many with fringing reefs. These reefs, however, experience increased turbidity and sedimentation resulting from massive coastal development projects and regular dredging of shipping lanes.
• 3. Seven reefs off Singapore's southern islands were surveyed (9670 m²) for giant clams. Also, an experiment was conducted to determine the growth of Tridacna squamosa reared in aquaria under three light treatments: ～50% ambient photosynthetically active radiation (PAR); ～25% ambient PAR; and ～12% ambient PAR. Finally, 144 clams (T. squamosa) were transplanted to four reefs around Singapore to study survival and growth in a heavily impacted environment.
• 4. A total of 23 adult clams from three species were found during the survey, representing a mean density of 0.24 per 100 m². Most clams were found at Raffles Lighthouse, Singapore's ‘best’ reef. No juvenile clams were encountered. In the aquarium experiment, clam growth was significantly different among the three light treatments, with growth greatest in the ～50% ambient PAR treatment. Of the 144 transplanted clams, 116 (80.6%) were recovered after 7 months. All specimens had increased in size, with growth rates among reefs ranging from 3.3 mm month^?1 (SD=1.3 mm) to 4.8 mm month^?1 (SD=1.6 mm).
• 5. Results suggest that, despite high levels of sedimentation and turbidity on Singapore's reefs, giant clams can survive and grow well. Restocking efforts using maricultured clams may be effective in enhancing the dwindling local populations. It is not clear, however, whether a self‐sustaining community can be established as high sedimentation may hinder larval settlement and survival.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Resistance of Dermo in eastern oysters, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin), of North Carolina but not Chesapeake Bay Heritage

Growth, intensity of Perkinsus marinus (Levine) infection, and survival of synchronously spawned North Carolina (NC) and Chesapeake Bay‐heritage (CB) oysters, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin) were evaluated under standard tray culture conditions at several sites in both regions (Wye River, Maryland; Mobjack Bay, Virginia; Pamlico River, NC and Bogue Banks, NC). Infection prevalence reached 100% in oysters held at all high‐ and moderate‐salinity sites, at which time the CB strain ceased to grow. Shortly after growth ceased, CB oysters exhibited mortality that rapidly progressed to 100%. Unlike the CB strain, growth continued in the NC strain despite high P. marinus prevalence. When mortality did occur in the NC strain, at a reduced rate of 37–40%, it was associated with higher intensity of P. marinus than the infection intensity correlated with death of CB oysters. At the low‐salinity site in NC, P. marinus infection persisted at low weighted prevalence throughout the latter portion of the culture period but was not associated with mortality of either strain. These trends in growth and disease resistance for the two strains demonstrate that aquaculture performance is related to the level of disease resistance in oyster strains, salinity of water in growing areas and virulence of P. marinus.     

Pathogenic profile and cytotoxic activity of Aeromonas spp. isolated from Pectinatella magnifica and surrounding water in the South Bohemian aquaculture region

Pectinatella magnifica is an invasive freshwater bryozoan that has expanded in many localities worldwide, including fishing areas. It contains microbial communities, predominantly consisting of Aeromonas bacteria that are frequently associated with fish infections. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential pathogenicity of Aeromonas spp. associated with P. magnifica and evaluate the health risks for fish. Aeromonas strains were isolated from P. magnifica (101 strains) and from surrounding water (29 strains) in the South Bohemian region and investigated for the presence of 14 virulence-associated genes using PCR. We demonstrated high prevalence of phospholipase GCAT, polar flagellin, enolase, DNAse, aerolysin/cytotoxic enterotoxin, serine protease and heat-stable cytotonic enterotoxin-coding genes. Further, all twelve isolates that were analysed for cytotoxicity against intestinal epithelial cells were found to be cytotoxic. Six of the isolates were also tested as co-cultures composed of pairs. Enhanced cytotoxicity was observed when the pair was composed of strains from different species. In conclusion, P. magnifica is colonized by Aeromonas strains that have a relatively high prevalence of virulence-associated genes and the ability to provoke disease. Results also suggest a possibly increased risk arising from mixed infections.     

Bacterial infections of Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum), returning to gamete collecting weirs in Michigan

Herein, we describe the prevalence of bacterial infections in Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum), returning to spawn in two tributaries within the Lake Michigan watershed. Ten bacterial genera, including Renibacterium, Aeromonas, Carnobacterium, Serratia, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Hafnia, Salmonella, Shewanella and Morganella, were detected in the kidneys of Chinook salmon (n = 480) using culture, serological and molecular analyses. Among these, Aeromonas salmonicida was detected at a prevalence of ～15%. Analyses revealed significant interactions between location/time of collection and gender for these infections, whereby overall infection prevalence increased greatly later in the spawning run and was significantly higher in females. Renibacterium salmoninarum was detected in fish kidneys at an overall prevalence of >25%. Logistic regression analyses revealed that R. salmoninarum prevalence differed significantly by location/time of collection and gender, with a higher likelihood of infection later in the spawning season and in females vs. males. Chi‐square analyses quantifying non‐independence of infection by multiple pathogens revealed a significant association between R. salmoninarum and motile aeromonad infections. Additionally, greater numbers of fish were found to be co‐infected by multiple bacterial species than would be expected by chance alone. The findings of this study suggest a potential synergism between bacteria infecting spawning Chinook salmon.     

The prevalence of mycobacterial infections in striped bass in Chesapeake Bay

Several species of bacteria have been isolated from diseased striped bass, Morone saxatilis (Walbaum), in Chesapeake Bay. Mycobacteria species are of particular interest because of their association with chronic lesions in both fish and humans. The resulting disease in fish may be characterised by emaciation, inflammation of the skin, exophthalmia (pop‐eye), ascites (dropsy), open lesions, and ulceration. The prevalence of mycobacterial infection in 217 striped bass in the Maryland portion of Chesapeake Bay was determined to provide evidence of decreased overall condition of fish affected by these bacteria. The density of the granulomas was higher in the spleen and head kidney than either the heart or liver, and appeared to be most closely associated with the presence of an external lesion. Thirty‐eight per cent of the fish showed some sign of an external lesion. Granulomas appeared in at least one organ in 53% of the fish sampled regardless of the presence or absence of an external skin lesion. Condition factor was significantly higher for striped bass without external lesions (0.96) than those with lesions (0.82). Striped bass with no internal granulomas and no external lesion had the highest condition factor (0.99) and fish with granulomas and external lesions the lowest (0.81). Slopes of the regression log_e weight (g) and log_e length (mm) for striped bass with external lesions was significantly higher than those fish without external lesions and had a lower r². The results suggest that striped bass that are infected with mycobacteria have decreased overall health.     

Infections by Renibacterium salmoninarum and Nanophyetus salmincola Chapin are associated with reduced growth of juvenile Chinook salmon,Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum), in the Northeast Pacific Ocean

We examined 1454 juvenile Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum), captured in nearshore waters off the coasts of Washington and Oregon (USA) from 1999 to 2004 for infection by Renibacterium salmoninarum, Nanophyetus salmincola Chapin and skin metacercariae. The prevalence and intensities for each of these infections were established for both yearling and subyearling Chinook salmon. Two metrics of salmon growth, weight residuals and plasma levels of insulin-like growth factor-1, were determined for salmon infected with these pathogens/parasites, both individually and in combination, with uninfected fish used for comparison. Yearling Chinook salmon infected with R. salmoninarum had significantly reduced weight residuals. Chinook salmon infected with skin metacercariae alone did not have significantly reduced growth metrics. Dual infections were not associated with significantly more severe effects on the growth metrics than single infections; the number of triple infections was very low and precluded statistical comparison. Overall, these data suggest that infections by these organisms can be associated with reduced juvenile Chinook salmon growth. Because growth in the first year at sea has been linked to survival for some stocks of Chinook salmon, the infections may therefore play a role in regulating these populations in the Northeast Pacific Ocean.