Frequently asked questions
AquaBounty – Risk Assessment
Q1: What did Fisheries and Oceans Canada examine in the environmental risk assessment?
Answer:
The environmental risk assessment consisted of an exposure assessment and an environmental hazard assessment.
The exposure assessment examined the physical, biological, and geographical aspects of the proposal for the potential for AquAdvantage® salmon to enter and reproduce in the Canadian environment, should they escape containment. The environmental hazard assessment examined the potential impacts that escaped AquAdvantage® salmon could pose to the natural environment, including to wild Atlantic salmon.
The environmental risk assessment integrated the conclusions of the exposure assessment and the environmental hazard assessment. The Department concluded, with reasonable certainty, that the proposal poses low risk to the Canadian environment.
Q2: What did Fisheries and Oceans Canada examine in the indirect human health assessment?
Answer:
The indirect human health assessment focused on potential human contact with the fish in the environment, should they escape containment. It did not examine human food consumption.
The indirect human health assessment examined whether AquAdvantage® salmon is associated with increased levels of toxins or allergens that could impact human health as a consequence of contact in the environment. It also examined the potential for AquAdvantage® salmon to act as a carrier of human pathogens.
The Department concluded, with reasonable certainty, that the proposal poses low risk to indirect human health.
Q3. What do the levels of certainty mean?
Answer:
Each risk component is associated with a level of certainty. The level of certainty reflects the availability and quality of sound information and data that is associated with a particular conclusion.
A high certainty level means that the conclusion was derived from high quality data on key parameters and considerations. A lower certainty level means that the conclusion was derived from more limited data with more knowledge gaps and/or greater reliance on expert opinion.
Q4: Can the salmon escape the Canadian facility? What about the facility in Panama?
Answer:
The exposure assessment examined the possibility of the salmon escaping from the Canadian facility and while being transported to Panama. The Department also examined the possibility of salmon escaping in Panama and swimming back into Canadian waters.
The Department found that in all cases, suitable physical and operational containment measures are in place to prevent AquAdvantage® salmon from entering the Canadian environment.
For example, in the Canadian facility, there are three to six redundant mechanical barriers in place, for each potential exposure pathway, to prevent escapes. Similar mechanical barriers are in place at the facility in Panama.
The Department concluded, with reasonable certainty, that the likelihood of AquAdvantage® salmon escaping from the Canadian facility is negligible.
The Department concluded, with reasonable certainty, that there is a low likelihood of AquAdvantage® salmon escaping from the facility in Panama. It also concluded, with high certainty, that the likelihood of fish returning to Canadian waters from Panama is negligible.
Q5: Who peer-reviewed the risk assessment?
Answer:
As is the case with all of the Department's science advice, the environmental and indirect human risk assessment of AquAdvantage® salmon underwent a rigorous national peer review process.
The peer review meeting consisted of scientific experts from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Health Canada, and Environment Canada, as well as external scientists with relevant expertise. A consensus was reached amongst peer review participants on the Department's risk assessment conclusions and science advice.
A summary of the risk assessment (CSAS ScR - 2013/023) is available online.
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