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Review of the Introductions and Transfers Committee’s Risk Assessment on the Proposed Use of European-strain Triploid Atlantic Salmon in Marine Cage Aquaculture in Placentia Bay, NL

Regional Science Response Process – Newfoundland and Labrador Region

May 25, 2016
St. John’s, NL

Chairperson: Dale Richards

Context

In 2013, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science examined the potential effects of the use of domesticated European-origin salmon on wild Atlantic salmon and their habitats in Newfoundland. The review found that interbreeding between European-origin escapes and wild Newfoundland salmon is predicted to have genetic and phenotypic consequences that would likely result in a reduction in genetic diversity among populations and reduced fitness within populations that would affect the character, abundance and viability of the native wild populations. It also found that commercial production of sterile triploids would reduce the likelihood of direct genetic effects occurring between escaped and wild fish populations and have a lower rate of freshwater migration, thus reducing the proportion of escaped farmed adults returning to rivers, and decreasing the potential extent of reproductive interference. Further comparisons would be required to evaluate marine performance, pathogen resistance, disease transmission, ecological effects, costs of monitoring and husbandry techniques to optimize performance (DFO 2013).

Induced triploidy is currently the only practical and inexpensive method available for rendering farmed Atlantic salmon sterile at a commercial scale and a great deal of research has been conducted on the basic biology, physiology, and culture characteristics of triploid Atlantic salmon. Although triploidy will mitigate the risk of successful spawning of mature escapees and interbreeding between wild populations and farm escapees to a great extent, invariably attaining 100% triploidy induction success is unlikely using current methods (DFO 2013).

Canada has endorsed the use of sterile fish to minimise adverse effects to wild salmon stocks from aquaculture, ranching, introductions and transfers, and transgenics within the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO) through the 1992 North American Commission Protocols for the Introduction and Transfer of Salmonids (NAC(92)24), the 2002 Oslo Resolution (CNL15.147), and the Williamsburg Resolution (CNL(06)48).

Grieg Seafarms Newfoundland Ltd. has submitted a salmon aquaculture investment proposal for Placentia Bay, NL. This project includes a hatchery and marine cage grow out sites with a planned production of 35,000 mt in 2018 and is currently undergoing a review in accordance with NL environmental assessment legislation. In March 2016, Grieg NL Nurseries submitted a request to import 8 million Norwegian-strain triploid surface disinfected triploid Atlantic salmon eggs from Iceland to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and DFO. The importation has been approved by the CFIA and an import permit has been issued to Grieg NL Nurseries. The issuance of a CFIA import permit means that an export certificate will be endorsed by the Icelandic Competent Authority certifying that the disease risks associated with the import of the aquatic animal from Iceland have been mitigated.

Canada’s National Code on Introductions and Transfers of Aquatic Organisms requires that a risk assessment be conducted in evaluating requests for introductions or transfers of fish which are considered non-routine. The Newfoundland and Labrador Introductions and Transfers Committee is finalizing a risk assessment of the importation request under the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (CCFAM) National Code on the Introductions and Transfers of Aquatic Organisms based on the outcome of the 2013 Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) process and recent scientific publications on performance characteristics, genetic and ecological effects, and pathogen matters using triploid salmon. Aquaculture Management requests science advice to inform the risk assessment and subsequent risk management decisions regarding the request for importation and use of European-origin triploid Atlantic salmon eggs in salmon aquaculture in NL.

Objectives

The scientific review will address the following:

  1. Provide a science review of the Newfoundland and Labrador Introductions and Transfers European Triploid Atlantic Salmon Risk Assessment, and scientific advice on the genetic, ecological and fish health risk from the proposed introduction of European triploid Atlantic Salmon to Placentia Bay, NL.

Specifically,

  1. Characterize the effectiveness of triploid induction in fish. Provide advice on triploidy monitoring measures including sampling protocols, sample sizes required, and statistical power, to ensure triploidy induction levels are acceptable (i.e., 100%).
  2. Review and provide advice on the scientific basis for predictions on impacts associated with the potential for triploid escapes to occur and subsequent impact of sterile and potential non-sterile European strain salmon on wild Newfoundland Atlantic salmon, including genetic (direct and indirect), ecological and fish health impacts.
  3. The scientific advice may also propose mitigation measures that may further reduce the risk of impacts from the introduction of European strain triploid Atlantic salmon into NL waters.
  4. To advise on any new significant information that might affect the potential for genetic and ecological effects on wild populations and that might need to be added to the existing risk assessment document.

Expected Publications

Participation

References

Benfey, T.J. 2015. Biocontainment measures to reduce/mitigate potential post-escape interactions between cultured European-origin and wild native Atlantic salmon in Newfoundland. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2015/003. v + 28 p.

Benfey, T. 2015. Effectiveness of triploidy as a management tool for reproductive containment of farmed fish: Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) as a case study. Reviews in Aquaculture 7, 1-19.

DFO. 2013. Potential Effects Surrounding the Importation of European-Origin Cultured Atlantic Salmon to Atlantic Salmon Populations and Habitats in Newfoundland. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2013/050.

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