Grieg Seafood BC Ltd. on Thursday received preliminary positive results indicating that the IHN (infectious hematopoietic necrosis) virus has been identified at one of its salmon farms in British Columbia.
According to Stewart Hawthorn, managing director for Grieg Seafood BC, testing was conducted by an independent laboratory aspart of the company’s ongoing fish health monitoring. Results were received Wednesday evening. The farm in question, located at Culloden Point in Jervis Inlet on the Sunshine Coast, has been put under quarantine.
Grieg reported the findings immediately to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), which will be undertaking further sampling; further results could come as soon as this weekend to confirm whether or not the virus is present.
Grieg says it is working with the CFIA and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to ensure this situation is addressed asquickly as possible, and to minimize any possibility of further occurrencesthrough strict biosecurity protocols.
The IHN virus has no impact on human health or wild fish, but it can affect Atlantic salmon, which are not immune.
“While we are disappointed about this result and will manage it proactively, it's important to note that this early detection and action is evidence of the effectiveness of our monitoring system and our responsible approach to fish farm management,” said Hawthorn. “It is a normal part of farming to experience health challenges from time to time when producing natural food.”
