Salmon virus in B.C. for decades, say biologists

Department of Fisheries (DFO) biologistshave tolda federal inquiry that fish samples, dating back more than two decades have tested positive for a virus potentially lethal to wild sockeye salmon but that fact wasn'tpublicly reported.

Dr. Kristi Miller, the head of molecular genetics for DFO in Nanaimo, told the Cohen Commission on Thursday that frozen samples dating back to 1986 have been tested, and showinfectious salmon anemia (ISA)has been in B.C. waters for at least 25 years.

Thepublic inquiryinto the decline of the Fraser River sockeye salmon stocks was extended for three extra days afterISAwas detected in wild B.C. salmon two months ago by Simon Fraser University Prof. Rick Routledge.

That revelationputthe Canadian Food Inspection Agency andB.C.'s fish farming industry on high alert, butthose results couldn't be confirmedand government scientists announced earlier this monththatextensive testing came up negative.

The alleged presence of ISA in B.C. salmon stocks is controversial because the virushad never before been found in salmon off B.C.'s coast, either in the Atlantic species that are farmed in ocean pens or in B.C.'s indigenous wild salmon.

The virus is known to be devastating to farmed Atlantic salmon and opponents of the fish farm industry have suggested farmed fish could spread ISAto wild stocks, with catastrophic results.

The virus has beenlinked to the destruction of the salmon farming industry in Chile and Europe.

The crisis has prompted the Canada Food Inspection Agency to develop a regular surveillance program for ISA, that isexpected to be inplace as early as next spring.