Sidney, B.C. – A new study published today in the journal Public Library of Science ONE by researchers from Raincoast Conservation Foundation, Watershed Watch Salmon Society, and the Universities of Victoria and Simon Fraser provides the first link between salmon farms and elevated levels of sea lice on juvenile Fraser River sockeye salmon.The article, Sea Louse Infection of Juvenile Sockeye Salmon in Relation to Marine Salmon Farms on Canada’s West Coast, genetically identified 30 distinct stocks of infected Fraser sockeye that pass by open net-pen salmon farms in the Strait of Georgia, including the endangered Cultus Lake stock. The study found that parasitism of Fraser sockeye increased significantly after the juvenile fish passed by fish farms. These same species of lice were found in substantial numbers on the salmon farms.

Not only did juvenile Fraser sockeye host higher lice levels in the Georgia Strait after they passed salmon farms, these fish hosted an order of magnitude more sea lice than Skeena and Nass River sockeye that migrated along the north coast where there are no farms. “The implications of these infections are not fully clear, but in addition to any direct physical and behavioural impacts on juvenile sockeye, sea lice may also serve as vectors of disease or indicators of other farm-origin pathogens” said Michael Price, lead author.

The data further showed that the differences in infection level for one species of louse in relation to fish farm exposure could not be explained by differences in salinity or temperature. “Given the high intensities of lice observed on some juveniles in this study—up to 28 lice/fish— there’s an urgent need to understand the extent of threat posed by sea lice to juvenile Fraser River sockeye” said Dr. Craig Orr, a co-author of the study.

The study also recorded the highest lice levels on juvenile sockeye near a farmed salmon processing plant in the Georgia Strait, heightening concern for the full potential impact of the salmon farm industry on wild salmon in this region.
Sea lice from salmon farms are likely another stressor for sockeye already subjected to multiple human impacts. Importantly, however, risks to juvenile sockeye from open net-pen salmon farms can be much more easily mitigated than changes to ocean conditions from climate change and ocean acidification. Options already recommended include removal of farm salmon from the migration routes of juvenile sockeye, and transition of salmon farms to closed-containment facilities.

Sea Louse Infection of Juvenile Sockeye Salmon in Relation to Marine Salmon Farms on Canada’s West Coast list of authors:
Michael HH Price (1,2)  Stan L Proboszcz(3), Rick D Routledge(4), Allen S Gottesfeld(5), Craig Orr(3), John D Reynolds(4)
1 Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
2 Raincoast Conservation Foundation, Sidney, BC, Canada
3 Watershed Watch Salmon Society, Coquitlam, BC, Canada
4 Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
5 Skeena Fisheries Commission, Hazelton, BC, Canada
To view the study, visit:

http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0016851

For more information contact:

Michael Price
Raincoast Conservation Foundation (www.raincoast.org) / University of Victoria
pricem@uvic.ca (250-847-1519)

Dr. Craig Orr
Watershed Watch Salmon Society (www.watershed-watch.org) – member group of the
Coastal Alliance for Aquaculture Reform
corr@telus.net
(604-809-2799)

Relevant photos and B-roll available.
Both Raincoast Conservation Foundation and Watershed Watch Salmon Society are part of the Conservation Coalition – a participant group of the Cohen Commission of Inquiry into the Decline of Sockeye Salmon in the Fraser River.

Download the paper   Price etal 2010 Farm-induced lice infestations CJFAS 2010

Sidney, B.C. – Today, the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences published findings by the Raincoast Conservation Foundation and other researchers on sea lice infestations of wild juvenile salmon near salmon farms.  The article, Evidence of farm-induced parasite infestations on wild juvenile salmon in multiple regions of coastal British Columbia, Canada, suggests that salmon farms in multiple regions elevate levels of sea lice on wild juvenile salmon.

Salmon farms in areas beyond the Broughton Archipelago are elevating levels of sea lice on wild juvenile pink and chum salmon. “Our results support the hypothesis that salmon farms are a major source of sea lice on juvenile wild salmon in multiple salmon farming regions in BC”, said lead author Michael Price, “and underscore the importance of minimizing known threats to vulnerable wild stocks”.

Levels of sea lice infecting wild juvenile pink and chum salmon were significantly higher near salmon farms in all salmon farm regions compared to areas away from farms, and lice levels were highest among the Discovery Islands where the largest amount of farm salmon was produced.

“The Discovery Islands is a region of high conservation concern given that 1/3 of BC’s juvenile salmon migrate through the region on route to the open ocean”, said co-author Alexandra Morton. “This includes Canada’s crown jewel of salmon systems, the Fraser River”.

Threats from salmon farms to wild salmon can be easily mitigated by removing farms from juvenile salmon migration routes, and switching to closed-containment aquaculture.

Evidence of farm-induced parasite infestations on wild juvenile salmon in multiple regions of coastal British Columbia, Canada. list of authors:

Michael H.H. Price1,2, Alexandra Morton3, John D. Reynolds4

1 Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada V8W-3N5
2 Raincoast Conservation Foundation, Sidney, BC, Canada V8L-3Y3
3 Salmon Coast Field Station, Simoom Sound, BC, Canada V0P-1S0
4 Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A-1S6

About Raincoast Conservation Foundation

Raincoast (www.raincoast.org) is a team of conservationists and scientists empowered by our research to protect the lands, waters, and wildlife of coastal British Columbia. Raincoast is a not-for-profit research and public education organization. Our mandate: Investigate, Inform, Inspire. We employ a unique ‘informed advocacy’ approach that combines rigorous science, applied ethics, and grassroots activism.

About the Publisher

Canadian Science Publishing, a not-for-profit company (operating under the brand NRC Research Press http://nrcresearchpress.com), is the foremost scientific publisher in Canada and one of the most advanced electronic publishing services in the world. With over 50 highly skilled experts and an editorial staff comprising some of the world’s leading researchers, NRC Research Press (Canadian Science Publishing) communicates
scientific discoveries to over 100 countries, and publishes 15 journals, with more than 2000 manuscripts each year, in all scientific disciplines. All journals are available online full-text and are accessible before print publication.

Disclaimer

The authors of the study are not affiliated with or employed by the National Research Council of Canada. The views of the authors in no way reflect the opinions of the National Research Council of Canada. Requests for commentary about the contents of the study should be directed to the authors. The NRC Research Press is operating under the new name of Canadian Science Publishing, a not-for-profit company, and is no longer affiliated with the National Research Council Canada. Articles published by Canadian Science Publishing are peer-reviewed by experts in their field.

For more information contact:

Michael Price
Raincoast Conservation Foundation
mike@raincoast.org
(250-472-4068)

Alexandra Morton
Salmon Coast Field Station
(250-974-7086)

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