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Red Alert! Cooke Aquaculture - Quarantined Farmed Salmon On Their Way To Your Local Market!

16K views 123 replies 12 participants last post by  Terran 
#1 ·
Hello all... today I was forwarded this disturbing correspondence with regards to quarantined farmed salmon.

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Hi Folks,

It seems that Farmed Salmon from the quarantined waters of the Coffin Island Feedlot may be making their way to your local supermarkets. You can read Mr. Tingley's e-mail to Minister Belliveau and the reply from his office below.

Regards,

Larry Shortt

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Morning Minister of Aquaculture:

It has come to my attention that Cooke has harvested all stock from the Coffin Island Feedlot in the last couple of days without approval of CFIA.

Please investigate this serious breach of rules and regulations.

Please investigate what Cooke has done, or will do, with these farmed salmon from quarantined waters.

Please advise of the involvement, or not, of your fisheries and aquaculture staff.

Recommendations:

1) Remove the Coffin Island site license from Cooke

2) Remove the Jordan Bay licenses from Cooke for this breach.

3) Take back the $25,000,000 gift to Cooke

Cooke is the most irresponsible corporation in the salmon feedlot business. Time to run them out of Nova Scotia. Time to end the madness.

Darrell Tingley
PP/MRSA
Lunenburg

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This is the reply Darrell received from the Dept of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
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Sent: Fri, Jan 18, 2013 3:16 pm
Subject: Response on behalf of Minister Belliveau

Dear Mr. Tingley,

Minister Belliveau has asked me to respond to your query.

Cooke Aquaculture has begun to harvest at the aquaculture facility that is under quarantine. This is being done with the approval of, and under the direction of, the Canada Food Inspection Agency, the lead fish health agency.

Further questions are most appropriately addressed to the CFIA.

Brett Loney
Acting Communications Director
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
 
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#2 ·
  • I got a salmon fix for dinner last night! It was Highliner brand and labled WILD PACIFIC SALMON, Caught in the North Pacific Ocean, Additional lables, Responsibiliy Harvested, MSC. It was great and it would appear the message is getting out!
 
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Reactions: pmorris
#3 · (Edited by Moderator)
Friends,

In case you are not familiar with the Coffin Island outbreak, here is a story to help bring you up to speed.

Aquaculture plan moving forward
July 12, 2012 - 6:27pm By BRUCE ERSKINE Business Reporter

Outbreak of salmon anemia not affecting Cooke's plans

The latest confirmed outbreak of infectious salmon anemia at a Cooke Aquaculture site in Nova Scotia isn't changing the company's ambitious expansion plans in the province.

"We take it very seriously but it doesn't change our overall plans for Nova Scotia," Cooke spokeswoman Nell Halse said in an interview from the New Brunswick company's headquarters Thursday.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed the outbreak, which occurred in two pens at a Cooke fish farm off Coffin Island near Liverpool and prompted the company to destroy about 40,000 fish.

"The quarantine placed on the facility on June 15, 2012, remains to control movements of people, vessels, equipment and fish onto or off of the site," inspection agency spokeswoman Elena Koutsavakis said Thursday in an email from Ottawa.

"The agency will continue to monitor and test the rest of the salmon at the facility. If additional cases of infectious salmon anemia are confirmed, more fish may be ordered destroyed."

Earlier this year, the federal agency ordered the destruction of several hundred thousand farmed salmon after an outbreak of the disease at a Cooke-owned open-pen salmon farm outside Shelburne Harbour.

Cooke was compensated for that kill since it was ordered by the agency, but Halse said it was unclear if there would be any compensation in the Liverpool case, where Cooke destroyed the fish voluntarily.

Cooke has 10 aquaculture operations stocked with three million fish in Nova Scotia - three in the Shelburne area that are currently fallow, one off Brier Island that is fallow, one off Saddle Island near Bayswater Beach in St. Margaret's Bay, two in Digby Harbour, two on St. Mary's Bay near Digby Neck and one in Liverpool, Halse said.

The company recently received Transport Canada approval to move ahead with a proposal to open two new farms in Jordan Bay, Shelburne County. And Halse said Cooke is actively pursuing plans to build a processing plant in the Shelburne area and a hatchery near Digby.

Cooke has encountered different strains of infectious salmon anemia, Halse said, which is one of the reasons it has spread out its farm operations around the province.

"We can rotate our crops," she said, which helps manage parasite and disease issues.

The Nova Scotia government, which is providing Cooke with millions in loans to expand its aquaculture operations in the province, considers infectious salmon anemia a manageable agricultural disease.

Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Sterling Belliveau said it's unfortunate to have another case of the disease in Nova Scotia, but the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has the necessary procedures in place.

"If you look across the world, this is a disease that is being managed by the industry; it's like any other animal disease," Belliveau said Thursday. "They have protocols in place."

But critics say the latest outbreak is indicative of the threat that large-scale open-pen salmon farms pose to the natural marine environment and to traditional wild fisheries.

"It highlights our belief that there's a need for a physical barrier between fish farms and the wild," said Lewis Hinks, director of programs for the Atlantic Salmon Federation in Nova Scotia.

With David Jackson, provincial reporter
(berskine@herald.ca)

A search of the CFIA's website gives NO indication that the quarantine of this site has been lifted. (That I could find)

Having just gone through the largest Beef recall in Canadian history, you would think that these Federal Inspectors (CFIA) would want to be thorough and forthcoming with regards to inspections and transport of contaminated foods.

Wouldn't you?

Here is a link to the CFIA website: http://www.inspectio...3/1297965645317

If you search "quarantine aquaculture" on the CFIA's site you will find some interesting information. Take a look: http://www.inspectio...&site=ex_global

Also, I found an article that indicates that the infected fish, may, have been transported to the Coffin Island site from Port Medway harbour.

Here is a link to the article: http://www.efeedlink...a3267-e551.html

Here is a quote from the article:

"Two weeks ago, Cooke Aquaculture, sent trucks to transport young salmon from Port Medway harbour to the farm off Coffin Island. President of Medway River Salmon Association, Darrell Tingley and some other members of the association, arrived at the wharf to protest, on Friday (June 24) and Saturday (June 25)."

Here is a question, "Were these fish infected before they were transported?"

I'm sure there will never be a staight answer to any of these questions, from any government department. (Fact is, they probably don't know.)

Perhaps, it's time for an email to some retailers informing them of this matter?

Keep up the Fight,

Terran
 
#4 ·
Unfortunately, it appears that they are at it again!! Instead of attacking the root cause of the problem, they are hiding behind the "protocols in place" of the CFIA. And the reason they are hiding, is because the provincial government of Nova Scotia encourages them to do so. The NS Government has too much money,(loans and grants) tied up in Cooke to do otherwise!!! Sadly.....

Regards.....
 
#5 ·
First of all, lets hope the consumer's are smart enough not to buy any of this crap! Secondly, at least the fish are out of the water and no longer a threat to wild fish! Thirdly and most importantly, we as tax payer's won't have to pay for the fish to euthanized and replaced!
 
#8 ·
Hey All,

What a f*&%ing joke! Typical Government BULLSHIT! They screw up in backing a loser and then change the rules to accomodate their ineptitude.

Take a look at this Government of Canada / CFIA information page on Infectious Salmon Anaemia (Quick before they edit or delete it) - http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/aquatic-animals/diseases/reportable/isa/fact-sheet/eng/1327198930863/1327199219511

This is a Reportable Disease. Not an inconvenience to marketing feedlot crap!

A recent entry on Alexandra Morton's site, "Letter to Director of OIE" - http://alexandramorton.typepad.com/alexandra_morton/2012/12/letter-to-director-general-of-oie.html, should convey the seriousness of this issue.

This "CRAP" should have a Biohazard sticker on it - not a price tag. If purchased, throw away the salmon and eat the packaging - it's probably better for you. Better yet, simply spread the word to everyone you know.

Although, reportedly, not a danger to humans - viruses mutate. ISAv is a member of the same family that has such wonderful cousins as Swine and Bird Flu.(See Orthomyxoviridae - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthomyxoviridae) Now I'm not saying that this virus will mutate or could; I'm no specialist in the field. It just seems that having seen viruses mutate and cross to humans (Rabies, Swine Flu, Bird Flu, Mad Cow) some caution should be considered. Especially, since people could be eating this stuff RAW in Sushi and Sashimi.

Not to mention the infectious nature of this disease and the species it can infect (See - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infectious_salmon_anemia_virus)

Sorry for the rant, but I find this infuriating. I'll go cool down now.

Terran
 
#7 ·
  • This is just wrong! THe Feds dont want to pay for the infected fish so they develope a pass! No mention of wild salmon or other species that may be infected, but who's looking.
 
#10 ·
Hey Folks,

Canada,as a member of the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health), has certain international obligations. ISAv, as a reportable disease, under the OIE "Aquatic Animal Health Code" has a fairly strict chapter on the handling of Infectious Salmon Anaemia.

Aquatic Animal Health Code: Chapter 10.5. - http://www.oie.int/fileadmin/Home/eng/Health_standards/aahc/2010/en_chapitre_1.10.5.htm

Here is a case of ISAv that was reported in Canada to the OIE (http://www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wahid.php/Reviewreport/Review?page_refer=MapFullEventReport&reportid=12106) and another (http://www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wahid.php/Reviewreport/Review?page_refer=MapFullEventReport&reportid=12107)

If you look at the report, you will see a section on "Control Measures". There are two sections, "Measures Applied" and "Measures to be Applied".

Under Measures Applied, the actions listed are:
  • Quarantine
  • Movement Control inside the Country
  • Tracking Forward
  • Tracking back
  • Surveillance outside containment and/or buffer zone
  • Official disposal of carcasses, by-products and waste
  • No vaccination
  • No treatment of affected animals
Measures to be Applied
  • Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s)
  • Official destruction of clinically diseased aquatic animals

Based on this criteria, the transport of infected fish, to another Province (NB), for "processing", would violate the OIE's regulations on the handling of contaminated animals.

Does this mean that Canada has not reported the case in question (Coffin Island) or has Canada decided to violate international obligations to the OIE and deal with this matter itself?

Either way, it would seem that the Canadian government is in conflict with it's responsibilities as a member of the OIE.

If anyone is interested, here is a link to the OIE website: http://www.oie.int/en/ . It is very informative. Especially, if you search, "Infectious Salmon Anaemia" on the site.

I wonder if the OIE approves of the handling of the contaminated, Cooke Aquaculture, fish? Were they informed?

I'll keep digging.

Terran
 
#12 ·
Hi all. If you are at all concerned about the contaminated Salmon headed to market, now would be a good time to contact Sobeys and Super Store and ask them if they A. plan to sell the contaminated fish from Cooke, and B. if they are planning to sell them, if they plan to label them as ISA.
 
#13 ·
#15 ·
Got replies from both Sobey's and Loblaws today! Sobey's answered that they would not be selling any ISA fish from this recent outbreak, Loblaws tells me they will get back to me with a definite answer shortly.

Here is Sobey's reply...Good for them!!!!

Dear RPEN,

Thank you for contacting us with your concerns about the recent media reports on salmon identified as having infectious salmon anemia (ISA). To confirm, Sobeys has not had any of these salmon for sale and our supplier has confirmed that none of these fish identified as having ISA will be shipped to our stores.

As we are not selling any of these ISA-infected salmon in our stores, there will be no need to identify any as such.

If you have any further questions, please contact us.

Thank you....

Sincerely,

Shelley
Customer Care
 
#18 ·
Rpen,

Great work.

Hopefully, others will also get involved and convey their concerns, as well. The more that the retailers see that this is a serious issue, perhaps the better the chances of making some further change in policy. This is certainly one area that public opinion may have some leverage.

Good on ya!

Terran
 
#16 ·
Terran;
Perhaps you could dig up a contact person for the CFIA so that we can ask if there are any regulations which allow any food producer to allow diseased,contaminated carcasses of food fish to enter the food chain without either notifying the retailer or the consumer by either a CFIA approved label or sign. If there is no legislation, why not?
Regards....
 
#17 · (Edited by Moderator)
Terran;
Perhaps you could dig up a contact person for the CFIA so that we can ask if there are any regulations which allow any food producer to allow diseased,contaminated carcasses of food fish to enter the food chain without either notifying the retailer or the consumer by either a CFIA approved label or sign. If there is no legislation, why not?
Regards....
Shimanoman,

Your wish...(etc. etc.)

As requested, here is the link to the Contact Page for the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) Web Comments and Feedback Form: http://www.inspectio...3/1299860643049

If you want to deal with someone closer to home, you can contact Charles J. Surette, Fish Policy Officer, CFIA, Food Programs - Atlantic. Here is his contact information: http://sage-geds.tps...o%3dGC%2cc%3dCA

I'm glad others have gotten involved with contacting these folks and don't mind providing any info that I can. I've been really busy and haven't been able to keep up with all the necessary correspondence, lately.

Thanks Shimanoman.

Cheers,

Terran
 
#20 · (Edited by Moderator)
Thought I'd provide this link regarding Cooke Aquaculture's "Company Profile". Among other things, it provides a list of (some) of the products Cooke is involved with: http://www.ic.gc.ca/...Id=501&app=sold

As a side note, notice the name of one of the "Receptionists" - Marian Belliveau

Perhaps just a coincidence, but don't we have a Minister, who deals with aquaculture, that has the same name?

Take a look at this site and be familiar with the products you may wish to avoid.

You may also wish to consider the Jail Island Salmon and Brands. This Cooke "endeavour" seems a convenient way to try to score some "brownie" points, but it comes from our same "friends"
at Cooke Aquaculture.


By the way, Jail Island, isn't that an appropriate name?
Here is a link (that will probably leave bile welling in your throat): http://www.macgregors.com/jail_island_letter.pdf


Terran
 
#21 · (Edited by Moderator)
The last part of that article is incorrect.
"This virus doesn't infect other fish species. It certainly doesn't affect other animals that are even cold-blooded and found in these local environments and certainly it's not going that huge next leap to mammals or humans."
The ISAvirus can be carried by trout, and can also be found to effect Cod and herring. It is actually in the family called
Orthomyxoviridae.
PLUS ANOTHER FUN FACT:

The Lepeophtheirus salmonis sea louse, a small crustacean parasite that attacks the protective mucous, scales and skin of the salmon has been shown to carry the virus passively on its surface and in its digestive tract. Under laboratory conditions Lepeophtheirus salmonis has been demonstrated to passively transfer ISA.[sup][11][/sup] It is not known whether the Infectious salmon anemia virus can reproduce itself in the sea louse, although this is a possibility as viruses often depend on secondary vectors for transmission like the Arboviruses such as dengue fever, West Nile virus, or African swine fever virus.
 
#22 · (Edited by Moderator)
Travis,

Great post. I absolutely agree, as I've posted.

The good "Doctor" who made the statement in the article was either clearly lacking knowledge on the subject or was deliberately providing misleading information. I would hope that it would be neither, but obviously something isn't "kosher" with his statement.

Especially, with regard to ISAv's ability to infect other fish species. Everything I have read on the virus has stated that it can infect the species you listed. (Brown trout, Rainbow Trout, Sea Run Trout, Herring, Arctic Char, Atlantic Salmon and a number of the Pacific salmons)

Strangely enough, this information is listed on the ISAv, Fact Sheet, on the CFIA's own web site.

I also wonder if anyone is testing for some of the other wonderful "Salmon Farm Infections", such as:

Piscine Reovirus (PRv)
Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHNv)
Salmon Alphavirus (SAv)
Salmon Leukemia (SLv)
(To name a few. Look them up.Scary stuff.)


There are many more.

Alexandra Morton was concerned enough about the possibility of virus mutation to have started a Health Petition. Some might argue that it was alarmist and only served to further her goals, yet, I have never read anything that the woman has written to be either. Here is a link to the Topic I started on her petition: http://novascotiafis...s-your-support/.

Mutating viruses have been showing that they can "surprise" the medical community for generations. Do we really want or need to take the chance so that this (Cooke) or any company can maintain profits?

Terran
 
#27 ·
I have just returned from the Bedford Superstore where I left a message for the manager. (He was in a meeting, and the person behind the counter could not help (answer) the question I asked. The question I asked is "How can I, the consumer be sure that the farmed salmon which you are offering for sale, is not the diseased salmon which the CFIA says is safe for consumption??" There are no labels which assure me that your product is disease free." I am anxiously awaiting his response. I would invite all of our members on this site to ask the same question of the folks who provide you with your seafood. Including Fisherman's Market and Clearwater Seafoods.

Regards,......
 
#29 ·
I have also contacted my local Sobey's and asked the same question. The grocery manager could not answer my question. He did, however, take my name and the question and assured me that my concern would be addressed. Come on, folks, start asking questions!! If there is no concern voiced, the folks who supply our food will assume that we are prepared to pay for, and eat, diseased seafood. At which point, the Sobey's and Superstores of the world will be more than happy to solve the federal government's problem of paying for diseased fish which would have been ordered destroyed in the past.

Regards,.......
 
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