6 replies to this topic

[Terran]

Hey Gang,

While checking out Alexandra Mortons site I came across this little bugger. Some of you may be familiar with it, but I suspect many have never heard of Kudoa.

As her story reflects this parasite showing up in Farmed Salmon, from BC, in supermarkets, it should probably be brought to the attention of consumers (those who still are willing to purchase farmed salmon). There is a lot of farmed BC product in our local stores, as well.

I suspect this will become an issue in our area sooner or later.

The story starts with CTV News in BC airing an investigative story titled,"Parasite-ridden Salmon sold in BC stores": http://bc.ctvnews.ca...stores-1.864202
(Note: the video wouldn't run for me)

Here is the story:

Parasite-ridden Salmon Sold in BC Stores
CTV British Columbia
Published Tuesday, Jul. 3, 2012 4:44PM PDT
Last Updated Tuesday, Jul. 3, 2012 6:50PM PDT

Some B.C.-farmed salmon is reaching store shelves with a parasite that can liquefy the fish’s flesh into an unappetizing goop, CTV News has learned.

Consumer Dale Reynolds recently picked up a salmon fillet from Costco, but the texture made him think twice about serving it to his family.

“I started noticing it had indentations in it,” Reynolds said. “Started taking a closer look and noticing these pit holes that were in it and wondering what was going on, what was eating at it. It just didn’t look normal.”

Marine Harvest Canada, B.C.’s largest fish farming company, confirmed to CTV News that the fish was infested with the Kudoa thyrsites parasite – the second most common parasite in farmed salmon, which causes a condition known as “soft flesh” syndrome.

“It’s unacceptable that someone was able to purchase a piece of this salmon,” spokesman Ian Roberts said. “It’s rare that someone would find this in the market.”

The parasite doesn’t pose a health risk to humans, but can render fish flesh into a jelly-like consistency, according to the Pure Salmon Campaign.

Kudoa can also survive long after the salmon is killed, and the parasite’s longevity is making it a widespread problem in B.C. Marine Harvest alone spent $12 million last year to clear out infected fish and provide refunds for tainted products, and there are estimates that Kudoa affects 20 to 50 per cent of all salmon farmed in the province.

The industry is currently studying the microscopic menace to protect farmed salmon, but experts say the greater risk is the impact the parasite could have on fish in the wild.

“What we don’t know is the magnitude and impact on the larger ecosystem,” said John Volpe, a University of Victoria environmental studies professor. “This parasite is like this time bomb inside the fish.”

Costco didn’t respond to a CTV News interview request, but a manager told an undercover reporter that the problem is not uncommon.

“We get this in one out of every 200 fillets,” he said. “Some are more mushy than others. Some you pick them up and they’re like paste… once every couple of days we probably get a few like this.”

Stores generally try to catch the problem before affected fish can be sold, and it’s unclear how often the salmon make it home with B.C. buyers.

Reynolds said he sent photos of his fish fillet to Costco and was given his money back.

With a report from CTV British Columbia’s Mi-Jung Lee
If you have a story you’d like to see on CTV News, contact The Investigators at investigate@ctv.ca

Sounds yummy - right?

Here is the Wikipedia info on Kudoa thyrsites: http://en.wikipedia....Kudoa_thyrsites

"Kudoa thrysites is a myxosporean parasite of marine fishes. It has a worldwide distribution, and infects a wide range of host species. This parasite is responsible for causing economic losses to the fisheries sector, by causing post-mortem "myoliquefaction", a softening of the flesh to such an extent that the fish becomes unmarketable. It is not infective to humans."

Yet a different species of Kudoa has been linked to an outbreak of Food Poisoning in Japan. See: PubMed.gov - Identification of Kudoa septempunctata as the causative agent of novel food poisoning outbreaks in Japan by consumption of Paralichthys olivaceus in raw fish. : http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/22281845

Interestingly enough, our very own Department of Fisheries and Oceans has spent much time and money trying to help out the Aquaculture industry. You know - the industry they have been promoting instead of protecting the oceans and coastlines from...well...aquaculture.

(Here is a read that may annoy you and stunt your growth) Soft-flesh suppression technology: Inhibiting the post-harvest effects of Kudoa thyrsites infection in farmed Atlantic salmon - http://www.dfo-mpo.g...009-P25-eng.htm

Long story short...ain't nothing we can do. Fish flesh will keep liquifying. (Lotta money for that.)

So this naturally occuring parasite, whose life is made a lot easier when fish are concentrated in areas like open pen aquaculture sites is causing problems for aquaculture companies and the Government. The nasty effects on the fish are costing the aquaculture industry millions per Quarter.

Check out page 12 of Marine Harvest's (one of the largest aquaculture companies in the world) Q2 - 2011 Financial Reports: http://alexandramort...%2023%20NOK.pdf

You would think this might be an incentive to start investing in Land Based Closed Containment Aquaculture?
Terran

[Gregory]

Yummy, who wouldn't want food that's already digested for you

Greg

[Suprdave]

"doesn’t pose a health risk to humans" ....Like to have a dollar for every time they spout that.

[Fiere]

I'm almost positive I have seen this here. A friend brought some salmon last year for a BBQ and the 'pasta like consistency in pits of the fillet' is definitely ringing a bell. I thought it was just bruising from those folks who think you need to jam your finger in everything at the market. Had I of known it was a parasite I wouldn't of just eaten around the spots. Stomach churning now...

I just don't understand why a business wouldn't start revising their practices after losing so much money. I mean from an investment standpoint alone, the amount of money lost on sick fish would pay to move the operation onshore where it is more viable, would it not? The mind it does boggle. I guess that's why I'm a tradesman not a business man or politician: common sense.

[fishon]

Hey T.

I got it to play. Although it said it was unavailable I waited 5 seconds or so and it did finally run.

fishon

[Terran]

Fiere, on 06 August 2012 - 07:42 PM, said:

I'm almost positive I have seen this here. A friend brought some salmon last year for a BBQ and the 'pasta like consistency in pits of the fillet' is definitely ringing a bell. I thought it was just bruising from those folks who think you need to jam your finger in everything at the market. Had I of known it was a parasite I wouldn't of just eaten around the spots. Stomach churning now...

I just don't understand why a business wouldn't start revising their practices after losing so much money. I mean from an investment standpoint alone, the amount of money lost on sick fish would pay to move the operation onshore where it is more viable, would it not? The mind it does boggle. I guess that's why I'm a tradesman not a business man or politician: common sense.

Fiere,

I have no doubt that this particular parasite has shown up locally. Especially if purchased from Costco. I am also sure that we will be seeing alot more of it in the future.

Yes, closed containment makes a whole lot of sense to most, however the fact remains that there is an initial investment to be made. This deters these closed minded companies as it is much simpler and alot cheaper to just keep crapping up the environment and moving on after the damage is done. As long as the Government keeps supporting this practice and blindly reimbursing their losses - Why would they change?

Terran

[Terran]

fishon, on 07 August 2012 - 06:16 AM, said:

Hey T.

I got it to play. Although it said it was unavailable I waited 5 seconds or so and it did finally run.

fishon

Fishon,

Thanks. I gave it another try, waited as you suggested and "voila" - it worked.

Kind of turned my stomach though. Maybe some things are better left alone .

Terran