Between 2012 and 2013, 8,006 samples of steelhead trout and chinook, pink, chum, coho, and sockeye salmon species were collected. All of the samples were tested for ISA, 6,734 were tested for IPN, and 1,272 were tested for Infectious Haematopoietic Necrosis (IHN).
All tests were negative. The tests were performed using internationally recognised and validated testing protocols.
The CFIA also evaluated existing surveillance data for farmed salmon in BC and found no current or historical evidence of ISA or IPN in these populations.
The evaluation analysed data collected from 2006 to 2011 through provincial and federal programmes as well as from routine monitoring and testing by industry.
The CFIA is currently testing farmed salmon in BC for non-pathogenic ISA to confirm they are free of the disease. Testing for other diseases in wild and farmed finfish in BC is also planned.
"The CFIA is committed to protecting fish health – both wild and farmed. These collective findings are good news for the aquatic industry in BC and the Canadian economy as a whole. We will continue to keep Canadians informed of our work surrounding this important Canadian resource," said Dr Ian Alexander, Executive Director, Animal Health Science Directorate, Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Collaborators on this initiative included representatives from the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Salmonid Enhancement Program (SEP); the DFO Program for Aquaculture Regulatory Research (PARR); the DFO High Seas Salmon group; the DFO Environmental Watch Program; the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC (FFSBC); Canadian Fishing Company (Canfisco); the Secwepemc Fisheries Commission; the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council; the Lil'wat Nation/Mount Currie Band; the Uu-a-thluk, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council; the Upper Fraser Fisheries Conservation Alliance (UFFCA); and the BC First Nations Fisheries Council (FNFC).
