Cohen Commission hearings wrap up with ISA testimony
BCSFA, December 23, 2011
The end of 2011 brings with it the wrap-up of the Cohen Commission of Inquiry into the Decline of Fraser River Sockeye Salmon hearings.
The final three days of hearings, Dec. 15, 16 and 18, were focused on Infectious Salmon Anemia. The first panel that included Ms. Nellie Gagne (DFO, Moncton) Dr. Kristi Miller (DFO, Pacific Biological Station), Dr. Fred Kibenge (UPEI) and Dr. Are Nylund (University of Bergen)
Each discussed the sampling for ISA that they had completed in their laboratories - leading to the inevitable discussion about why their results differ. Because of the different sequence testing for ISAv, some found signs of something similar to the virus, while others found nothing. The amount of results and which samples they were found in were inconsistent as well. According to the CFIA - the official investigatory body for these reports - ISA and ISAv has not been confirmed in British Columbia...
To read the full overview at the BCSFA website, click here.
ISA experts – what they actually said
Salmon Farm Science, January 05, 2012
The Christmas and New Years hangovers have finally subsided and we got our throbbing heads together to bring you something new.
While we were partying, we see the Cohen Commission finally got the transcripts published from the three days of ISA hearings before Christmas.
The transcript from the first day shows that what the four experts (Kristi Miller, Are Nylund, Fred Kibenge and Nellie Gagne) actually said about the ISA virus is quite different than what has been reported in the mainstream media and on anti-aquaculture blogs and websites.
Contrary to what some say, no ISA virus has been confirmed in Pacific wild salmon, or farmed salmon in B.C.
The take-home messages from the hearings are:
- No ISA virus has been confirmed in wild or farmed salmon in B.C.
- Something may be triggering “positive” test results; it is unclear what this is.
- If the “positive” results are true, they may be detecting a variant of the ISA virus which has been present in the Pacific ocean for hundreds or even thousands of years.
- There is no evidence of ISA in farmed Atlantic salmon in B.C.
Here are some tidbits from the hearings. To keep things clear, we are marking statements as fact, claim, suggestion or speculation...
To read the full blog at Salmon Farm Science, click here
Cohen Commission ISAv Evidentiary Hearings
PAA has news coverage and information links, including evidentary hearing transcripts for the ISAV Evidentiary Hearings held, December 15, 16 and 19 posted on our blog page.
To read, click here
