Global News - December 2007
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Lice infestation could lead to Canadian salmon extinction
Mon 17 December 2007 13:30 UK — North America,Marine Wildlife
The spread of sea lice infestations from fish farms to wild pink salmon populations in Canada could leave them extinct in the country within four years, according to new research.
Scientists from the University of Alberta in Edmonton, writing in the journal Science, claimed that populations of wild pink salmon on Canada's west coast had been drastically affected by the spread of sea lice from the area's salmon farms.
Their findings revealed that infestations of the lice had killed more than 80 per cent of the pink salmon annually recorded in British Columbia's Broughton Archipelago, IPS reported.
If the infestations continue at their present rate, the report concluded that populations of the wild salmon could be wiped out within the next four years.
"Overall, populations that were exposed to sea lice-diseased salmon farms are depressed and are declining quickly," warned Martin Krkosek, lead author of the study.
According to Reuters there are now 20 salmon farms on the British Columbia area, with the Atlantic salmon farmed in the area prone to sea lice infestation.
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