Question Period Note: Effects of pathogens on wild salmon stocks

What is the Department doing about the effects of pathogens on wild salmon stocks?

• The health of Pacific salmon stocks is of critical concern to the Department.
• We continue to support research on the factors that affect their health and productivity, including on habitat monitoring and conservation, climate change impacts, run timing and migration of salmon stocks, and genetic and pathogen risks.
• Our scientists, in collaboration with other researchers, are examining concerns about potential transmission of pathogens between wild and farmed salmon and its ability to cause disease in Atlantic and Pacific salmon.

• Recent scientific publication links declines in salmon health and survival with two pathogens associated with aquaculture activities.
• The study identifies Tenacibaculum maritimum and piscine orthoreovirus (PRV) as most closely linked to the survival of wild Pacific salmon.
• In 2021, the Department conducted risk assessments which concluded that there is minimal risk to Fraser River sockeye salmon due to these pathogens with high uncertainty base on the evidence available at that time.
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) scientists, in collaboration with other researchers, are addressing concerns about potential transmission of pathogens between wild and farmed salmon and its ability to cause disease in Atlantic and Pacific salmon.
• As research on these infectious agents evolve, DFO will continue to consider the growing base of evidence in risk assessment and decision making to protect Canada’s marine resources.
• Companies are required to monitor fish at aquaculture facilities for signs of disease and report outbreaks or elevated mortality events on a regular basis. Industry veterinarians assess fish health, address issues as they arise, and communicate with DFO veterinarians routinely.
• DFO biologists and veterinarians review industry submitted reports and visit both land-based hatcheries and marine facilities to observe and sample fish and to ground-truth industry reports.

• As research on these infectious agents evolve, Fisheries and Oceans Canada will continue to consider the growing base of evidence in risk assessment and decision making to protect Canada’s marine resources.
• The Department is currently seeking input as part of its commitment to transition from open-net pen salmon aquaculture.