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Wild salmon face life-threatening disease
by Howard Swanwick
14/06/2006:// It is a thrilling sight to see wild salmon on our rivers leaping over weirs and shoals as they make a heroic effort to return to their spawning grounds. However, our native salmon are facing a life-threatening disease that could be brought into the country accidentally by anglers, canoeists, rowers and small-boat owners.
Of particular concern is the parasite is Gyrodactylus salaris that attacks Atlantic salmon and can devastate stocks. The parasite is now widespread in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark, and has been reported in France, Germany, Spain and Portugal.
Now that the summer is here many watersports enthusiasts will be heading abroad either for holidays or to compete in events. "We particularly want to make boaters, canoeists, anglers and rowers, returning from continental rivers, aware that there is a small risk that they could inadvertently import the parasite on damp craft and equipment. A few simple precautions are all that is needed to ensure you do not bring back this parasite" explained Environment Agency Head of Recreation, William Crookshank.
"Thankfully, the parasite has not been found in the UK and we need everyone’s help to make sure it doesn’t gain a foothold. The main threat is from imported diseased fish and controls are in place to minimise this risk. However, there is a small chance the disease could be imported inadvertently by recreational water-users returning with their boats and equipment, or European competitors entering the UK for events."
The G.Salaris parasite is half a millimetre in size and virtually invisible to the naked eye. It attacks salmon causing severe tissue damage often resulting in death. Although the parasite has not yet been found in British waters, tests have shown that our salmon would be killed by it. Just one parasite transferred from an affected river abroad might start an epidemic.
"The parasite can survive on boats or damp clothing and equipment for up to six days," continued William. "You are advised to clean, disinfect and dry all equipment used in rivers in the countries named above before use in UK waters. Marine vessels returning from abroad do not pose a risk as the parasite cannot survive in seawater, but consideration should be given to tenders or other equipment that has been used in freshwater sections of rivers."
You can help prevent the spread of the parasite in two simple ways:
"You should thoroughly dry all boats, equipment and clothing for at least 48 hours in sunlight and temperatures above 20° C, or disinfect by immersing in seawater or a 3% (or more) salt solution for a minimum of 10 minutes. All gear should then be thoroughly rinsed in tap water."
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