Infectious salmon anemia confirmed at Mainstream Chile farm

Published: September 10, 2007

Source : Fish Update

Norwegian aquaculture company Cermaq has confirmed that salmon at one of its Chilean fish farms has tested positive for infectious salmon anemia (ISA).

In a statement released last week, the company said that a limited number of cages at one of the Mainstream sites have been affected.

Up to now, the level of mortality has been low, and the company said that the cost of dealing with the outbreak is not expected to exceed USD 500k.

Last month Chile’s National Fishing Service (SERNAPESCA) instructed salmon farmers to kill fish found to be infected with ISA, a highly contagious virus that has been detected on several fish farms around Chiloé, Region X.

In addition to ordering the immediate slaughter or harvesting of infected fish, the government body ordered farmers to disinfect their facilities. SERNAPESCA also reiterated an earlier ban on transporting fish in and out of the infected zones.

The Mainstream Group is one of the largest players in the salmon farming industry. The group produces Atlantic salmon, trout and coho, and has undertakings in Chile, Canada, Norway and Scotland.

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