Salmon farmer Marine Harvest’s Canada operation in British Columbia is reporting a loss of thousands of fish due to the presence of a deadly plankton.
According to the company’s website, Marine Harvest Canada reported a loss of “up to 280,000 fish of an average weight of 4.1 kilograms,” or approximately 1,148 metric tons (MT) at Marsh Bay near Port Hardy, British Columbia.
The company’s website blamed the losses on Heterosigma akashiwo, a common plankton that is deadly to salmon. The company first noticed the emergence of the plankton on May 27.
"We've had over three months of sunny days, and have watched the plankton grow in many of our operating areas over this time," said James Gaskill, production director. "Our mitigation systems, which include tarps and aeration, have worked very well in all other regions but just couldn't overcome this extreme and rare bloom."
The company said changes in the weather has stopped the losses at Marsh Bay. The company’s statement indicated the British Columbia operation produces 40,000 MT of salmon.
