Detection of Aeromonas salmonicida from water using a filtration method

Aeromonas salmonicida is a principal pathogen that contributes to mortality in hatchery-maintained Atlantic salmon that originated from the Connecticut and Merrimack rivers in the northeastern United States. Field tests were conducted to assess a filtration method for detection of A. salmonicida in water used to rear fishes. A presumptive identification of typical A. salmonicida was available within 72 h and the pathogen was confirmed within 96 h. This filtration method has been incorporated into daily management practices and provides results that allowed managers to make more informed decisions for fishery resources.