Watch this in-depth conversation with PSF salmon disease and health expert, Dr. Andrew Bateman, on the latest research on open-net-pen aquaculture (at 25 minutes) and next steps for this landmark research initiative.

The Pacific Salmon Foundation embarked on the Strategic Salmon Health Initiative with DFO and Genome BC to better understand how infectious agents were affecting the health of wild salmon.  

The study is focused on pathogens that may cause disease in hatchery, wild and aquaculture salmon. Since launching, findings have informed decisions to phase-out open-net-pen operations in the Discovery Islands and the Broughton Archipelago – both major migration routes for wild Pacific salmon. In 2020, the Federal Government announced their commitment to transition away from open-net-pen facilities by 2025. Recent headlines have highlighted findings from research led by UBC and conducted in conjunction with this partnership. 

The findings show that Piscine orthoreovirus (PRV) – which is associated with kidney and liver damage in Chinook salmon – is continually being transmitted between open-net salmon farms and wild juvenile Chinook salmon in BC waters. The findings also indicate that PRV is not native to B.C. waters—it originated in the Atlantic Ocean and has been spread around the world through salmon aquaculture.