The New Zealand salmon industry is not at serious risk from bacteria which is killing kanakana eels, New Zealand King Salmon CEO Grant Rosewarne says.
It comes as a ministry of Agriculture and Forestry spokesperson confirmed that tests are ongoing after the bacteria aeromonas salmonicida has been identified in kanakana eels in New Zealand’s Southland, according to Stuff.co.nz
The bacteria causes a disease known as furunculosis, which causes ulcers, external and internal haemorrhaging, swelling of the kidneys and vents, and sometimes death.
Furunculosis is more commonly known as tail rot.
While it is not harmful to humans, it can spread to salmon, whitebait, trout and kokopu, Stuff reports.
Rosewarne stated that while King Salmon is concerned about the disease, it is not worried about the discovery at Southland.
"It was found at the bottom of the South Island and hasn’t been found in salmon.
"The disease had a lot of atypical variants, and atypical variants tended not to affect salmon," he explained.
"The likelihood of this disease affecting salmon is low."
The bacteria has previously not been seen in New Zealand, however it has had outbreaks in Australia.
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