Farmed salmon. (Photo: Sernapesca)

Salmon farm eliminates all ISA infected fish

CHILE
Thursday, November 03, 2011, 01:00 (GMT + 9)

As part of the implementation of the contingency plan to prevent the spread of infectious salmon anemia (ISA) virus from Ballena 3 farming centre, located in the Aysen region, Salmones Cupquelan announced the elimination of all the infected fish.

Also, the National Marine Fisheries Service (Sernapesca) launched an investigation to determine the source of the infection of salmon with ISA virus variant HPR2 in three cages in facilities of the Chilean salmon firm.

Thus, Salmones Cupquelan met the deadline set in the new Specific Health Programme for ISA Surveillance and Control in advance as it had been officially reported by Sernapesca last August, Diario Financiero informed.

Contaminated fish were landed at Oxxean biosafe port in the Aysen region, and then they were transferred to the reduction plant.

The head of the Undersecretariat of Fisheries (Subpesca), Pablo Galilea, said "ISA virus outbreak of the strain HPR2 must be turned into an opportunity to evaluate the remaining items so as to strengthen the good aspects that have already been implemented in the new production model in order to be prepared for new health events," El Divisadero reported.

"We did what was technically suitable – we eliminated the species at an appropriate time in the nearest port, and with all biosecurity measures that applied. And this was carried out under strict control by Sernapesca, the collaboration of the company concerned, such as Cupquelan, and also with service providers that have a high responsibility in health issues," added the official.

"Hopefully this will serve to correct issues that have yet to be developed. For example, we have to quickly implement a dirty port in the Aysen region that facilitates the separation of the ports that are operating normally in the salmon industry," said Galilea.

Meanwhile, Robinson Carcamo, Salmones Cupquelan operation manager, stated: "We should be hopeful it does not influence on the level of exports but this is a latent danger that the industry experiences at present and it is necessary to know how to handle it the right way."

"Despite all the health barriers we have imposed ourselves, these issues take place. But we feel at peace as the elimination process will end in a good way. So far we have had to learn to live with the ISA virus since its emergence in Chile," he added.

On the other hand, the Association of Chilean Salmon Industry AG (SalmonChile) explained in a statement: "While this is the first case of the year 2011, we know that the ISA virus is not possible to eradicate so we must live with it and there will be new events in the future."

In addition, the union rejected the beginning of a new emergency situation following the detection of the ISA virus variant and stressed the "correct and effective implementation of the health programme" that "has allowed us to reduce the health risk," reported Aqua.

Related article:

- Contingency plan after finding ISA virus variant

By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com

Print