'Namgis First Nation's "KUTERRA" Project:

Transcription

1 'Namgis First Nation's "KUTERRA" Project: Managing Atlantic salmon well-being in a newly operational land-based recirc. grow-out system Tyler Stitt DVM MPH&TM BSc Winchelsea Veterinary Services Ph: info@winchelseavetservices.ca

2 Presentation Goal Describe protocol and practices developed for a newly operational facility to: Prevent pathogen incursion Manage health on-site Protect the environment This presentation will not evaluate these protocols and practices

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6 Facility Layout

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8 Principles for Smolt Screening Goal is to produce a product that is acceptable to a variety of stakeholders representing many different concerns Business model and production must be: Economically viable Socially responsible Ecologically responsible Plan to screen diseases of concern for: Husbandry; Trade; Public assurance

9 Principles for Smolt Screening Precautionary principle Strict approach to screening proposed Avoid inadvertent seeding of unwanted pathogens into recirculation system Follow Canadian Fish Health Protection regulations E.g. as if smolts are imported from another country Decision Matrix for smolt screening Smolt supply (health history) Sample size (confidence in disease freedom) Pathogens (disease and diagnostics history)

10 Smolt Supply Relationships with supplier Facility History Discussions with staff veterinarian Review of health records Site visit prior to smolt purchase Cohort History Previous cohort-specific screen results Vaccination history Recorded or visible clinical disease

11 Sample Size Determination Historical disease prevalence (smolt supplier): << 5%, probably closer to 0% Assumptions: CI 90-97% Disease prevalence <3% Imperfect test, 90% sen. and 100% spec. Complete random sampling Finite population (< 50,000) Calculated sample size: 150 fish

12 Pathogens: Virus Virus Schedule II IHNv Infectious hematopoetic necrosis Yes IPNv Infectious pancreatic necrosis Yes VHSv Viral hemorrhagic septicemia Yes ISAv Infectious salmon anemia No PRv Piscine Reovirus (heart and skeletal muscle inflammation) No SAv Salmon Alphavirus No

13 Pathogens: Parasites / Bacteria Parasite Named Disease Schedule II Myxobolus cerebralis Whirling Disease Yes Ceratomyxa shasta Ceratomyxosis Yes Bacteria Aeromonas salmonicida Furunculosis Yes Renibacterium salmoninarum BKD No Yersinia ruckeri Enteric Redmouth Disease Yes Listonella anguillarum Vibriosis No Flavobacterium psychrophilium Coldwater Disease No

14 Review of Sampling Plan At first: Large sample size to find lower pathogen prevalence Screen for multiple pathogens With time: Increased confidence through experience with: Smolt supplier and diagnostic lab Consistency of diagnostic data Continued absence of clinical signs in smolts Sample size decreased to 60 Targeted pathogen screening

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16 Vaccines Done prior to purchase Includes: IHN Vibriosis Furunculosis BKD

17 Quarantine Isolated from Grow-out Biosecure entry Separate water treatment month duration prior to grading and transfer

18 Biosecurity

19 Environmental Monitoring Automated and manual monitoring Digital and paper records Multiple parameters recorded Two sets of alarms Text messaging from automated monitoring system Cellular system backup (no internet required) Independent Environmental Health Monitor Employed by the Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) Has access to all health and environmental data Prepares monthly reports to PSF and Kuterra project

20 Health Monitoring Health parameters include: Nitrogen, Nitrate, Nitrite, C0 2, bicarbonate consumption, ph, DO 2, water temp / salinity, mortality / cull / escapes On-site necropsy Superficial examination Lab available for sample collection Oversight monitoring Laboratory diagnostics of morts Follow up surveillance - to date not conducted Independent Environmental Health Monitor - limited fish health Related to the potential impacts on the receiving environment

21 Dermal fungal-like Lesions White dermal mats, attached to fins and gills Manageable Severity is cohort-dependant 1 st cohort = 12% fungus-related mortality Subsequent cohort s, 3-6% fungus-related mortality Restricted to quarantine Water salinity Maintained at ppt 1 st cohort required manual salt application New well can easily achieve and sustain ppt Possible to get up to 7 ppt

22 Water Treatment

23 Health Outcomes Fungus The only health issue to date Manageable Deformities Deformities of welfare concern have been negligible Mortalities Highest in cohort 1 at 12% Range from 3-12% depending on cohorts Growth rates Reasonable, 85g to 9 kg (avg. 3.5 kg) in 11 months Cohort 1 took 12 months to market Cohort 2 took 11 months, cohort 3 is looking to be 10.5 m

24 Questions? Thank you to: Namgis First Nations; Cathal Dinneen; Garry Ullstrom; Catherine Emrick; Centre for Coastal Health; Michael Berry