An incident at the ECOAQUA University Institute's aquaculture facilities, located next to the Taliarte dock (Telde, Gran Canaria), has left around 500 dead fish in recent days.
The entity dependent on the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) points out that these losses are equivalent to slightly more than 5% of the biomass maintained at the center and that the episode has parallels with what recently happened in the marine cages of the company Aquanaria, in front of the beach of Melenara.
What is known about the episode
According to Rafael Ginés Ruiz, coordinator of the aquaculture facilities and expert of the Aquaculture Research Group (GIA), the affected specimens presented lesions in the gills that compromised their respiratory capacity, to the point of hindering or preventing the exchange of oxygen with the water.
At first glance, an irregular discoloration of the gills was detected compared to the bright red characteristic of a healthy fish; and, under the microscope, signs of epithelial disorganization were verified with hyperemia as a compensatory response and necrosis of the gill plates , a circumstance incompatible with the normal functioning of that tissue.
Laboratory analysis results
Tests carried out in the laboratories of the High Specialization Aquaculture and Biotechnology Service (SABE) of the ECOAQUA/ULPGC University Institute rule out an infectious or parasitic origin as responsible for the recorded deaths.
According to the same sources, the outbreak is over and the rest of the fish at the center are in good health, with no new losses, although they will continue to be under observation and continuous monitoring.
Relationship with the Aquanaria case in Melenara
The incident is related in nature to the one recently recorded at the Aquanaria fish farms , located off the nearby Melenara beach (Telde), where damage to the gill tissue of the fish was also reported. ( similar cases )
Although the symptoms match, from a technical standpoint there is no evidence of pathogens involved in the ECOAQUA episode, directing the focus of attention towards possible non-infectious factors.
Monitoring and next steps
ECOAQUA will maintain enhanced surveillance of the batches and key system parameters, as well as monitoring of welfare indicators, with the aim of detecting any signs of risk early.
The center has announced that it will continue with internal checks and additional preventative measures while the stability of the facilities is confirmed following this incident.
With the situation stabilized, the figures indicate about 500 fish affected (approximately 5% of the biomass), with a picture of gill lesions that altered breathing , without involvement of infectious agents and with the rest of the specimens in good condition , under observation and sustained monitoring in Taliarte.