New research from UBC and the Pacific Salmon Foundation has documented tenacibaculosis in wild Chinook salmon for the first time. The bacterial disease, which causes skin and fin ulcers and can lead to death, was detected in 16% of Chinook sampled in Barkley Sound, with high associated mortality.

Tenacibaculosis is already one of the most common diseases affecting farmed Atlantic salmon in B.C. open-net pens. Researchers note that the bacteria occur naturally in the ocean but can become more concentrated around salmon farms. The findings raise new questions about disease risks to wild Pacific salmon that are not fully reflected in current federal risk assessments.

Learn more at:
https://forestry.ubc.ca/news/first-report-of-bacterial-disease-in-wild-chinook-salmon/