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Ref:578/03 |
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canada
- Mar 5, 2003 |
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Salmon virus causes heavy losses for fish farms, says
B.C. government report
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SEAFOOD.COM NEWS [Copyright 2003 Press News Limited,
All Rights Reserved The Canadian Press (CP)] March 5,
2003 -VICTORIA (CP)
Millions of dollars in losses have hit B.C. fish
farms in recent years as a virus sweeps through
Atlantic salmon stocks, according to a new report.
More research, co-ordination and money are needed to
combat the problem which has resulted in 'devastating
death rates'' at farms, said the B.C. government
report released Tuesday.
It is clear that infectious hematopoietic necrosis, or
IHN, is a serious problem for farms, said Al
Castledine, acting director of aquaculture development
for B.C.'s Fisheries Ministry.
'We have seen no linkage to wild fish other than they
are the original source of the disease,'' he said.
B.C. dedicated $3.75 million last year to examine
environmental impacts of aquaculture.
Castledine expects new research proposals for the fund
will arise from the report.
The virus exists naturally in the environment and was
first recognized in the 1950s.
It spikes at different times, with the first outbreaks
at fish farms reported in the early 1990s.
The disease selectively attacks blood-forming cells so
a fish's immunity drops and cannot be treated.
Pacific salmon are not as susceptible to the virus as
farmed Atlantics, said Ron Lewis, B.C.'s chief
veterinarian.
Between August 2001 and May 2002, the virus hit 19
farm sites. Of those, 13 sites were near Campbell
River on eastern Vancouver Island. |
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