The FDA determined that AquAdvantage salmon meets all the statutory requirements for safety and effectiveness under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and that food from the GM salmon is as safe to eat and as nutritious as food from other non-GM Atlantic salmon.
Commenting on the decision, Ronald L. Stotish, AquaBounty CEO, stated: “AquAdvantage salmon is a game-changer that brings healthy and nutritious food to consumers in an environmentally responsible manner without damaging the ocean and other marine habitats. Using land-based aquaculture systems, this rich source of protein and other nutrients can be farmed close to major consumer markets in a more sustainable manner.”
In other news, the UK is investing in the sustainable supply of cleaner-fish for use in the Scottish salmon industry.
Specifically, two new projects initiated by the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) will look at improving the sustainable supply of lumpfish and lumpfish welfare.
The projects are worth £2.9 million are have received funding from Benchmark Animal Health, Marine Harvest Scotland, BioMar, The Scottish Salmon Company, Otter Ferry Seafish and the University of Stirling.
SAIC, alongside the Highlands and Islands Enterprise, is also taking part in a trial to test the commercial viability of a mussel hatchery in Scotland.
The 30-month project would improve the availability and reliability of mussel spat which could lead to higher productivity in the shellfish industry as well as it supporting rural businesses and jobs.
In disease news, Chile has reported another outbreak of Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) at a salmon farm in the Aysén region.
The HPR 2D variant of the virus was detected in a cage belonging to Blumar Salmon, located in the Ninualac canal, north of the island Melchor.
