A recent study by the Pacific Salmon Foundation revealed that viral heart disease, specifically heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI), is more prevalent in open-net salmon farms in the Broughton Archipelago, B.C., than previously acknowledged. Out of the seven farms studied, five were found to have HSMI caused by the piscine orthoreovirus (PRV), which can potentially spread to wild fish in the surrounding waters.

Lead researcher Emiliano Di Cicco emphasized that the occurrence of the disease is significantly higher than initially believed. Previous research in 2017 indicated the presence of the disease in one out of four farms, but further investigations revealed a more widespread issue.

The study examined 749 salmon across the farms, with nearly seven percent showing signs of HSMI. While there was uncertainty in the past about the role of PRV in causing HSMI, recent experiments have confirmed the link, leading to calls for the virus to be reclassified as pathogenic by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO).

Di Cicco urged for standardized criteria for diagnosing the disease, aligning with global standards, as current methods may overlook the condition due to varying diagnostic approaches. DFO stated they would review the study findings but emphasized the importance of scientific rigor in their diagnostic criteria for HSMI.

Collaborating with First Nations communities, the study highlighted the significance of salmon to Indigenous people and their concerns regarding the impact of open-net pen salmon farms on wild salmon populations. Community leaders expressed gratitude for the scientific validation of their long-held concerns and reiterated the cultural and environmental importance of salmon in their traditions.