Scientists investigating fish in Lake Memphremagog have identified what is being described as the first known transmissible cancer found in catfish. The lake sits along the border of Vermont and Quebec, and the discovery centers on catfish that were found with melanoma lesions, a form of skin cancer.
According to the report, the case came to light after anglers began reporting unusual fish in the lake between 2012 and 2013. Researchers from Vermont Fish and Wildlife then examined the animals and uncovered evidence of the cancerous lesions.
The finding is notable because transmissible cancers are rare. In this case, the research suggests the disease in these catfish was not simply appearing in isolated individuals, but was instead spreading in a way that makes it scientifically unusual.
Beyond the local impact on Lake Memphremagog, the discovery adds to broader research into how cancer can develop and move through animal populations. It also raises new questions about fish health in shared waterways that cross state and national borders.
