This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Keeping Scotland's rivers bug free
05/03/2007
A new campaign to keep Scotland's rivers free from a deadly parasite which destroys wild fresh water salmon stocks was launched today.
The parasite Gyrodactylus salaris (GS), found in many European countries, could wipe out Scotland's £60 million salmon angling industry with the loss of 2,000 associated jobs if it reaches Scotland.
The Home and Dry campaign, launched by one of the UK's best known anglers Jack Charlton, will target anglers and water sports enthusiasts to ensure equipment used in GS affected countries is safe before being used at home.
Deputy Environment Minister Sarah Boyack said:
"The GS bug, which is harmless to humans but deadly to salmon, has not reached the UK. We want to keep it that way and protect Scotland's unique natural resources and our diverse mix of wildlife.
"GS is invisible to the naked eye, and the only available means of eradicating it is to kill all fish in the treated areas. It can live for several days on recreational equipment such as waders, fishing equipment, bags, canoes and rafts. That's why we need the public's support to take essential precautions before using Scotland's rivers."
While there are many precautionary measures that can be undertaken, the easiest is for anyone visiting an affected country to ensure all equipment is dried at a minimum temperature of 20°C for at least two days.
Jack Charlton said:
"Anglers who fish abroad need to make sure they leave the bug behind. I have been a keen angler for many years and know only too well the risks involved. No angler wants to be the one responsible for bringing this in and they need to take precautions."
The Home and Dry campaign will see the distribution of leaflets and posters to relevant organisations and outlets to publicise the precautionary measures that should be undertaken.
People visiting an affected country and using the same equipment in our rivers in Scotland should:
- Dry all equipment at a minimum temperature of 20°C for at least two days, or
- Heat for at least one hour at a temperature above 60°C, or
- Deep freeze for at lease one day, or
- Immerse in a solution suitable for killing the GS for a minimum of ten minutes. Chemical solutions which have been used include Virkon* (1 per cent), Wescodyne* (1 per cent), sodium chloride (3 per cent), sodium hydroxide (0.2 per cent).
* these chemicals are available from agricultural chemical suppliers. The use of trade names is for illustrative purposes only and does not signify endorsement of any particular product.
Gyrodactylus salaris (GS) is a small parasitic fluke (less than half a millimetre in size) that infects the skin and fins of salmon, trout and some other types of fish in freshwater. It damges the skin of infected fish leading to mortality. Reproduction is rapid and populations of the parasite can double in four days.
In Norway, over 40 rivers have been infected, with up to 98 per cent mortality reported in affected areas. It is believed that GS got into the rivers there through movements of live farmed fish from Sweden, where salmon are tolerant of the parasite.
In Scotland, the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill, passed last week by Parliament, gives new powers to treat affected rivers.