Sea lice and Anemia problems with Farmed Finfish
October 1st, 2008 by DamonChilean Salmon farmers are under increasing pressure to manage the health of their salmon farms.
Firstly, the parasitic bacteria Rickettsia which is carried by sea lice infect the cells of Salmon. Chilean salmon ventures use a variety of antibiotics to treat this bacteria in fish farms however, at least one of these antibiotics, ivermectin, has been ban by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, the FDA tests less than 2% of salmon imported by Chile.
Secondly, Chilean Salmon farms are under siege by Infectious Salmon Anemia which is a contagious viral disease that kills up to 2% of Chilean farmed salmon. The disease is so contagious that often the whole farm population is needed to be eradicated to remove the viral disease. This disease is also prevalent in Scotland and Norway.
Supermarket chain Safeway’s reduced Chilean salmon purchases after a New York Times article about Chilean salmon sanitary conditions. Considering that the US is the biggest export market for Chile’s third biggest export, it is imperative to find solutions to these two problems.
Tags: chile, disease, salmon
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October 1st, 2008 at 5:34 pm
[...] Sea lice and Anemia problems with Farmed FinfishSupermarket chain Safeway’s reduced Chilean salmon purchases after a New York Times article about Chilean salmon sanitary conditions. Considering that the US is the biggest export market for Chile’s third biggest export, … [...]
October 4th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Hi Damon,
I found the following article interesting in addressing the Infectious Salmon Anemia (ISA) issue within Chile in 2007.
http://www.puresalmon.org/pdfs/ISA-backgrounder.pdf
The article highlights the following concerns in regards to ISA.
• Absence of waste disinfection from Chilean processing facilities. ISA is primarily transmitted via viral particles, located in mucous or excreted wastes. However, transmission also occurs through untreated contaminated waste, water or equipment.
• Sea lice act as a potential vector for ISA from infected to susceptible fish sources. In other words, sea lice act as transmitting organisms which carry the ISA virus without developing the disease or condition themselves. Instead, they pass it on to fish hosts. Of concern is evidence that suggests sea lice resistance to controlling chemicals or antibiotics, including emamectin benzoate (or SLICE).
• Lack of ISA knowledge.
Research undertaken by the US Department of Agriculture has entailed investigation into the host-pathogen interaction. Specifically, the protective mechanisms exhibited by host cells in response to pathological modifications induced by the ISA virus were investigated.
http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=226987
Further research involving ISA viral genotyping has been undertaken as a tool for effective detection. All of this research signifies the importance of firstly understanding the ISA viral mechanisms in place, and establishing effective controls.