A recent peer-reviewed study by the Pacific Salmon Foundation revealed a higher prevalence of viral heart disease, known as heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI), in open-net salmon farms in the Broughton Archipelago, British Columbia. The study identified HSMI in five out of seven salmon farms in the region, linking it to the piscine orthoreovirus (PRV) that can spread to wild fish populations. Lead author Emiliano Di Cicco highlighted the increased occurrence of the disease compared to previous estimates, urging reclassification of PRV as a pathogenic virus by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) in B.C.
The study, which involved examining 749 salmon across the farms, indicated that nearly seven percent exhibited signs of HSMI. While the role of PRV in causing HSMI was previously uncertain, recent experiments by Norwegian researchers confirmed the connection. Infected Pacific salmon may suffer from various health issues like anemia, inflamed hearts, and jaundice. Di Cicco emphasized the need for aligning diagnostic criteria for HSMI with global standards to ensure accurate detection of the disease.
In response to the study, DFO stated that it would review the findings for future considerations. The agency defended its diagnostic criteria for HSMI, developed in collaboration with scientific experts, to meet international standards. The B.C. Salmon Farmers Association did not comment immediately on the study but had previously dismissed concerns about PRV, labeling them as “fearmongering.”
Collaborating with the Mamalilikulla, ʼNa̱mǥis, and Ḵwiḵwa̱sut’inux̱w Ha̱xwa’mis First Nations, the study emphasized the critical role of salmon in supporting Indigenous communities along the coast. Indigenous leaders, such as Rick Johnson and Don Svanik, expressed concerns over the impact of open-net pen salmon farms on wild salmon populations, highlighting the cultural and ecological significance of salmon in their communities.