Staff Complete Investigation of Winter Fish Kill

A Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture staff investigation of aquaculture sites affected by a salmon and trout fish kill earlier this year has concluded environmental conditions, not disease, were likely responsible.

"This was a harsh winter in Nova Scotia and our fish health veterinarians have concluded this was the likely cause of the fish kill experienced at sites around the province," said Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell. "No significant disease agents were detected at any of the sites and cleanup has been completed by the operators."

Financial losses from the fish kill do not involve the provincial government and no compensation will be provided.

"This is a rare situation related to one of the coldest winters we've experienced in a long time," said Mr. Colwell. "As we go forward, we'll continue to proactively release information related to investigations as we have done in this case. That's part of our commitment to enhanced transparency in the regulation of aquaculture in Nova Scotia."