Salmon disease - advice |
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| Gyrodactylus salaris – help keep it out!
Gyrodactylus salaris is a parasite which infects the skin, gills and fins of salmon, trout and some other types of fresh water fish. Although barely visible to the eye it can cause serious damage in some strains of Atlantic salmon. It is currently not found in UK rivers however there is a real danger that if just one specimen is transferred from affected European rivers it could start an epidemic over here.
To eliminate Gyrodactylus salaris from affected rivers, all types of fish capable of carrying the parasite must be removed, so restoration of salmon stocks in affected Norwegian rivers has involved poisoning whole catchments! Such work is destructive, difficult, very expensive and likely to take many years.
The parasite is now endemic in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Denmark, France, Spain and Portugal. So remember, if you intend to go fishing in any of these countries, in particular Scandinavia, be aware that you might be coming into contact with this
What can you do about it?
The parasite is very hardy and can survive several days in damp conditions such as clothing, plastic bags and wet angling equipment (e.g. bags, waders, landing nets, lines). Prior to arrival in the UK, anglers travelling from areas which are not designated as free of Gyrodactylus salaris, and in particular from those areas known to be infected, such as Scandinavia, should take the following precautions to ensure that their equipment is not contaminated.
All fishing equipment should be thoroughly cleaned and then treated to kill any parasites by either:
• Drying at a minimum temperature of 20°C for at least two days, or
• Heating for at least one hour at a temperature above 60°C, or
• Deep freezing for at least one day, or
• Immersion in a solution such as Virkon (1%), Wescodyne (1%), sodium chloride (3%), sodium hydroxide (0.2%) for a minimum of ten minutes (these chemicals are available from agricultural chemical suppliers).
Further information can be obtained from:
DEFRA
Tel: 020 7270 8826
email s.fishii@defra.gsi.gov.uk website www.defra.gov.uk
CEFAS
Tel: 01305 206673
email fish.health.inspectorate@cefas.co.uk website www.efishbusiness.com
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