Fish Health

Fish Health Protection

Aquaculture facilities wishing to export live salmonids to other Canadian provinces must be certified under the Canadian Fish Health Protection Regulations (FHPR). The Fish Pathology Program at the Pacific Biological Station undertakes the inspection of facilities and certification of the fish under these regulations. Before a facility is certified, four inspections (over a two year period) must be carried out and the facility must be found free of the pathogens of concern. Fish are tested for viral agents and the agents which cause furunculosis, enteric redmouth disease, whirling disease and Ceratomyxa infections.

To develop a suitable genetic base, the B.C. salmon farming industry may request to import eggs from new stocks on occasion. A permit to import eggs is required to ensure that several levels of safeguards, established by DFO through its salmonid importation policies, are in place. These include:

• importation of eggs only (live fish are not permitted)
• surface-disinfection of eggs prior to shipping
• certification of the exporting facility under the Fish Health Protection Regulations (FHPR) and inspection
• by a Canadian Fish Health Officer
• rearing of eggs and fry in a DFO-approved quarantine facility until the fish are at least 3 grams. During this time monthly health monitoring must be done to test for infectious agents.

The Local Fish Health Officer who is in charge of administering the FHPR in the Region issues the import permits, approves the quarantine facilities before the eggs arrive, and inspects the imported stock.

Contact:

Ms. Dorothee Kieser
Tel: 250-756-7069
FAX: 250-756-7053
E-mail: Dorothy.Kieser@dfo-mpo.gc.ca