New Study Highlights Viral Disease on B.C. Salmon Farms and Risks to Wild Salmon

The Pacific Salmon Foundation has published a new study examining the presence of Heart and Skeletal Muscle Inflammation (HSMI), a disease associated with Piscine Orthoreovirus (PRV), on open-net pen Atlantic salmon farms in British Columbia.

The research found evidence of the disease at five of seven salmon farms studied in the Broughton Archipelago. Researchers also found that the virus can spread into surrounding waters even when farmed salmon do not show signs of disease, raising concerns about potential impacts on wild Pacific salmon.

The study was conducted as part of the Broughton Aquaculture Transition Initiative (BATI), led by the ‘Na̱mg̱is, Mamalilikulla, and Ḵwiḵwa̱sut’inux̱w Ha̱xwa’mis First Nations.

‘Na̱mg̱is Elected Chief Councillor and Hereditary Chief Ho’miskanis Don Svanvik is a co-author of the study and spoke about the risks that open-net pen salmon farms pose to wild salmon.

The findings reinforce the importance of protecting wild salmon and the waters within our territories for current and future generations.

Read the full press release from the Pacific Salmon Foundation:

Source: Pacific Salmon Foundation, October 8, 2026.