Company says severe winter weather responsible for fish farm die-off in N.L.

By Canadian Press

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — A Canadian seafood giant says severe winter storms over the last month killed off thousands of Atlantic salmon at a Newfoundland fish farm.

A statement from Cold Ocean Salmon Inc., owned by New Brunswick-based Cooke Aquaculture Inc., says the fatalities appear to be limited to two of the eight sea cages at the site near Manual Arm.

The company did not offer a total count of fish killed, but said in a statement “it is estimated that approximately 14 per cent mortalities appear to be limited to two of the eight cages on the farm which contains a total of 550,000 fish.”

The company says the fish have not tested positive for reportable diseases and the remains are being cleaned from the affected cages. It says its response plan also involves harvesting the two affected cages as well as some fish from the other six. It says surveillance of fish health will increase.

Joel Richardson, vice-president of public relations for the company, says loss of animals due to weather is an “unfortunate part” of the business.

The aquaculture sector, particularly open-net pen fish farming, came under scrutiny in the province last year when an estimated 2.6 million salmon died at a Northern Harvest Sea Farms cage site.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 3, 2020.

The Canadian Press

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today