Fish Processing Facilities: New Challenge to Marine Biosecurity in Canada |
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| Authors: | M H H Price A Morton J G Eriksson J P Volpe |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Biology, University of Victoria , Post Office Box 3020, Station CSC, Victoria , British Columbia , V8W 3N5 , Canada;2. Raincoast Conservation Foundation , Post Office Box 2429, Sidney , British Columbia , V8L 3Y3 , Canada;3. SkeenaWild Conservation Trust , 2115 22nd Avenue, Smithers , British Columbia , V0J 2N6 , Canada;4. Raincoast Research Society , Post Office Box 399, Sointula , British Columbia , V0N 3E0 , Canada;5. Sonora Marine Services , Post Office Box, Surge Narrows , British Columbia , V0P 1W0 , Canada;6. School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria , 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria , British Columbia , V8P 5C2 , Canada |
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| Abstract: | Abstract The transmission of pathogens is a common consequence of animal food production. Marine salmon farms and their processing facilities can serve as sources of virulent fish pathogens; our study is the first to confirm the broadcast of a live fish pathogen from a farmed salmon processing facility into the marine waters of Canada's Pacific coast. We found live salmon lice Lepeophtheirus salmonis, mucus, and fish tissue in effluent from the processing facility. Sea lice transmitted from this source may pose a threat to wild salmon populations, and the release of untreated offal, including blood water, is of considerable concern. Further research is needed to quantify the extent to which processing facilities release sea lice and to determine whether more virulent fish pathogens are present in effluent. These data underscore the need for fish farming nations to develop mandatory biosecurity programs to ensure that farmed salmon processing facilities will prevent the broadcast of infectious fish pathogens into wild fish habitat. Received April 26, 2012; accepted September 7, 2013 |
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