We have no data on which to judge what these impacts may be. Aquaculture of transgenic salmon done in the same manner as we presently culture fish will have all of the same impacts, plus whatever new problems that are created by the use of these genetically altered fish. We share the position of the New Brunswick aquaculture industry itself, which opposes the use of transgenic salmon at this time. Parasites and diseases - The aquaculture industry has been ravaged by a series of disease epidemics. In North America, the most recent is Infectious Salmon Anemia.
Sea lice are also a major concern.
Both of these agents can kill large numbers of cage-reared salmon, and both have now been flagged as causing trouble for wild salmon populations. Diseases are a part of the natural world. Given that many of the pathogens are waterborne, they can travel from one aquaculture site to another, potentially infecting wild animals in their path. The best protection for wild stocks is stopping epidemics from breaking out in the industry. Industry expansion on top of existing capacity - Trends in salmon production are increasing.