GYRODACTYLUS SALARIS

This is a parasite that can wipe out stocks of salmon. The adult salmon can be a host, it kills juvenile’s and starts to live in the system and eventually gets to more juveniles, wiping out salmon stocks. In some cases to stop the spread, full river systems are poisoned and everything is killed in order to eradicate this parasite.

The parasite originates from Baltic salmon, which are immune to the parasite. By accident Baltic Salmon which had the parasite were stocked into a Norwegian fish farm and Atlantic Salmon are not immune to this.

In Norway it has wreaked havoc destroying over twenty rivers, and can be found in rivers in Russia, Sweden, Finland, Germany and France. Atlantic salmon can’t survive this parasite.

It has also been proved the parasite can survive away from its host or water. There is serious risk that an angler who has fished abroad can bring this parasite into the up and introduce it to a system. It can survive in fishing tackle, equipment, clothing, waders, boots, and infact anything that comes into contact with the water you have fished.

It is imperative that if you have fished abroad you get your equipment sterilized and have a valid certificate from the Veterinary/fish health authority from country of origin before fishing in any UK waters.

MID CLYDE ANGLING ASSOCIATION, REQUIRE YOU PRODUCE THIS CERTIFICATE BEFORE APPLYING FOR A PERMIT TO FISH OUR WATERS EVEN AT DAY TICKET OUTLETS.

If you come back from a fishing holiday abroad during the season, please provide your certificate of sterilization before angling in Mid Clyde Waters to the committee.