Gyrodactylus salaris

backGyrodactylus salaris: What is it and what should I do?

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Gyrodactylus salaris is an extremely dangerous parasite that effects salmon stocks, it is not currently present in the UK and we must try to keep it that way. Steps to make sure it does not enter the UK should be observed as a priority to all fishers who have recently fished outside the UK. To help prevent the introduction of this parasite into the UK certain steps should be taken.

Some Facts

Gyrodactylus salaris can survive away from a fish host for up to seven days at river temperatures. It is because of this that the transfer risk is high when anglers travel from an area where the parasite is present to an area where the parasite is not present eg the UK. Equipment transferred within one week may present very high levels of risk.

Salmon stocks in over 20 Norwegian rivers have been destroyed by this parasite. Gyrodactylus salaris was introduced to Norway on Baltic Sea salmon taken to fish farms. Baltic Salmon are immune to it but Atlantic Salmon are not and tests have shown that Atlantic Salmon are destroyed by it just as easily as Norwegian.

It is present in RUSSIA, FINLAND, SWEDEN, GERMANY, FRANCE, SPAIN and PORTUGAL.

The parasite is less than half a millimetre long and can live off the host fish, in gravel, for a considerable time, as yet all attempts to eradicate from any river have proved failures. The methods being used in Norway involved poisoning all the fish in a river and leaving it fallow for several months in an attempt to break the parasites life cycle. As yet no successes have been reported. If this parasite gets into UK rivers it means the absolute end of our Salmon.

What can you do to help

If your fishing equipment has been used outside of the UK in the last 7 days then you must ensure that all your equipment has been sterilised using one of the following methods:

• 1. Dry to a minimum temperature of 20°C for at least 2 days
• 2. Heating to above 60°C for at least 1 hour
• 3. Deep freezing for at least 1 day
• 4. Immersion in the following solutions for a minimum of 10 minutes
  a. Virkon 1%
  b. Wescodyne 1%
  c. Sodium Chloride (common salt) 3%
  d. Sodium Hydroxide 0.2%

It is up to each individual angler to ensure that they do not introduce this terrible parasite into UK waters. A little bit of care will ensure that we can stay Gyrodactylus salaris free now and for the future. So help save our wonderful salmon by following these simple guidelines.

 

 

 

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