Chile: Dispute Over the Origin of Salmon Disease (ISA)

Although it is now certain that at least one salmon farm in southern Chile's Magallanes (Region XII) has tested positive for Infectious Salmon Anemia (ISA), what is not yet clear is how the debilitating disease made it to Chile’s southernmost region.

ISA is a highly contagious virus that can be lethal to fish but does not affect humans. In statements published last week by Ecoceanos News, the government’s National Fishing Service (SERNAPESCA) appeared to put the blame on industry leader Marine Harvest, which owns the Caleta Delano fish farm where the Magallanes ISA case was detected (PT, July 3).

Last Thursday the Norwegian farmed salmon giant fired back, denying SERNAPESCA’s claim that it brought the infected fish into the region in 2005. Instead, the salmon in question contracted the disease in Region XII itself, Marine Harvest noted in a press release.

“A basic analysis,” the company said, “allows one to conclude that the (reproduction) center was infected in the zone.”

The Marine Harvest press release also said SERNAPESCA had suspicions about the possible presence of ISA in Magallanes as far back as March.

Read the full article in Uruguay's MercoPress.