Today, the Norwegian Hunting and Fishing Association and the University of Bergen presented the findings after 35,000 salmon escaped from Aller Aqua’s facility in the Vadheimsfjord at the end of October. In over 100 fish that have been caught and analysed, several serious diseases have been detected. Pancreatic disease (PD), myocarditis (PRV) and piscine myocarditis virus (PMCV) are the findings of the fish taken in the rivers in Vik, Hyllestad and Sogndal. Professionals are worried about the consequences. – The result shows that there is a very big danger for the wild fish in the entire Sognefjord. It is very serious, especially for the fry that can become infected, says Alv Arne Lyse, project manager for wild salmon at the Norwegian Hunters’ and Fishers’ Association. In Sogndalselvi, samples were taken of three sexually mature male fish, all of which were infected with the virus. Are Nyland at UiB, who presented the findings, stated that they had never seen as much disease in fish as in the samples from the escape in Vadheimsfjorden. – It is dramatic and every reason to be concerned, says Lyse. Pancreatic disease ♦ Pancreatic disease occurs in farmed Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout. ♦ Is caused by a virus called PD virus or Salmonid alphavirus (SAV). ♦ Occurs while the fish is in salt water. ♦ The outbreaks are long-lasting and usually fatal for the fish. ♦ First discovered when the fish stops eating. ♦ The fish dies after 2 – 3 weeks ♦ The disease was discovered in Ireland in 1976 news has not been able to get a comment from Aller Aqua after repeated attempts. Sturle Skeidsvoll, day-to-day manager of Aller Aqua, said after the incident that the dreaded salmon disease PD was not detected in the cage from which the fish escaped. 20,000 salmon still in the run Rømminga was discovered on 29 October in connection with the fact that fish infected with pancreatic disease were to be slaughtered at the facility. The disease is not dangerous for humans. The reason for the escape was probably that a boat took away the bill for a cage. Of around 50,000 salmon, 35,000 escaped through the hole in the bill. The Directorate of Fisheries states that over 12,000 fish have been reported caught by the company. Thus, 23,000 salmon are still on the run. The salmon release triggered several actions in the rivers to retrieve fish that later turned out to be sick. Photo: ARNE STUBHAUG / ARNE STUBHAUG Concern for the fry The Norwegian Hunters and Fishermen’s Association is concerned that the fry in the rivers may be infected by viruses, which attack the heart and skeleton of the fish. – It has been documented that wild salmon can become infected. There were many diseases on the fish and we lack knowledge of what might happen next. Will there be a natural disaster or not? No one knows and that makes it very scary, says Alv Arne Lyse. The virus is transmitted from fish to fish, and fry are most exposed as they have not built up immunity, but even fish ready to spawn can be infected. The salmon run is the largest in Norway for several years and led to several people throwing themselves into the boat to catch the salmon, which, despite the disease, should not be dangerous for humans to eat.
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Escaped farmed salmon infected with three different viruses – news Vestland
