March 9, 2023

Suspected ISA virus detected at AquaChile fish farm in Magallanes, Chile

Chile's National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca) are investigating an Aquachile fish farm in the Magallanes region, Chile, for suspected Infectious Salmon Anemia (ISA) virus, Fish Information & Services reported.

Veterinarians from Sernapesca entered the Hollemberg fish farm on March 1 to assess the fishes health. Necropsies of specimens were performed, but no ISA disease symptoms could be found in the fish that were inspected. Fish samples were collected, then sent to the ISA aquaculture pathogens laboratory for examination. The analysis produced findings that supported the detection of ISAv.

Sernapesca has also been conducting fish harvesting operations, prioritising cages with signs of higher mortality levels. Three cages have been harvested so far, and the harvesting procedure was carried out in accordance with all applicable biosafety standards. 

The fish farm currently has six farming cages housing about 529,000 fish, or about 725 tonnes.

Sernapesca also reported that they have been deployed to oversee biosecurity, the classification of fish mortality, and the fish's sanitary condition at the farm. This week, an ISA sanitary campaign will begin surrounding the area of the fish farm, near the Punta Entrada area.

-      Fish Information & Services