Researchers are investigating whether a contagious form of cancer affecting catfish in Quebec has spread to waterways in New Brunswick, according to The Spec.
The study, reported by The Spec on Friday, focuses on determining if the disease has crossed provincial borders. Scientists are tracking the cancer’s presence in catfish populations, with New Brunswick now part of the monitoring effort.
The cancer, described as contagious among catfish, was first identified in Quebec. The Spec reports that researchers are now expanding their surveillance to see whether the disease has moved eastward into New Brunswick’s rivers or lakes. The exact method of transmission and the current scope of the outbreak in Quebec were not detailed in the available reporting.
This type of transmissible cancer is rare in fish, and its potential spread raises questions about aquatic ecosystem health and the movement of wildlife between provinces. The Spec’s coverage highlights the collaborative nature of the research, though specific institutions or researchers involved were not named in the summary.
What to watch next: Whether sampling in New Brunswick confirms the disease’s presence, and what steps provincial authorities might take if the cancer is found there.
