Officials with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, along with officials from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and British Columbia’s Chief Veterinary Officer, on Friday confirmed that additional testing showed no signs on the infectious salmon anemia (ISA) virus in British Columbia salmon.
“After Canada’s reputation has needlessly been put at risk over the past several weeks because of speculation and unfounded science, additional in-depth, conclusive tests, using proper and internationally recognized procedures, are now complete and we can confirm that there has never been a confirmed case of ISA in B.C. salmon, wild or farmed,” said Canadian Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield.
The National Reference Laboratory completed all testing and analysis of all samples under investigation, and none tested positive for ISA, he confirmed. “This reinforces the regular testing conducted by federal and provincial officials,” he said. “In recent years, over 5,000 fresh properly collected and stored samples have been tested and there has never been a confirmed case of ISA in British Columbia salmon.”
“Canada’s current practices and procedures to protect our wild and farmed salmon industries from disease are in place and working; that is why we can be proud of all aspects of the Canadian fishing industry, which is recognized worldwide as a leader in the production of high-quality, safe and sustainable seafood,” said Ashfield. “Fisheries and Oceans Canada, CFIA and provincial governments will continue to work together to maintain our excellent international reputation.”
The alleged discovery of ISA in two juvenile sockeye salmon harvested from B.C. waters in October ignited a media firestorm in the Pacific Northwest.
