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Preserving wild salmon stocks
20/10/2008
The news that killer parasite Gyrodactylus salaris (Gs), which devastates wild salmon stocks wherever it strikes, is being eradicated in Norwegian salmon rivers has been welcomed by Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead.
The move follows the return from Norway of a Scottish Government team who observed at first hand a salmon river restoration treatment.
Mr Lochhead said:
"This parasite has wiped out salmon stocks in a number of rivers across Norway, with severe economic impacts on rural communities and angling incomes.
"If we ever suspected or detected this fish disease in Scotland, we would need to act quickly to contain its spread and its destructive impact on our world-renowned salmon stocks.
"We cannot afford to be complacent in Scotland when we have already seen the devastating consequences of Gs on wild salmon rivers in Norway. A Gs outbreak could see a collapse in our iconic, valuable and important salmon angling heritage.
"Scotland has taken a responsible, planned and proactive approach to reduce the risks of Gs arriving in Scotland and have worked with a wide range of other organisations to prepare a detailed contingency plan.
"We will continue to develop communication and training materials to help ensure that all users of Scottish fresh waters are aware of the risks of introducing Gs to Scotland.
"I want to remind all water users in Scotland from the Tweed to the Eriboll, from the Ken to the Spey, that anyone fishing, canoeing or using equipment in foreign waters where Gs exists must always disinfect their gear.
"It is absolutely vital that we ensure there is no possibility of this parasite clinging on to damp gear and infesting Scottish rivers."
The work done by the Scottish Government has been warmly welcomed by Scotland's salmon anglers.
Andrew Wallace, Managing Director of the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards and Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland commented:
"Gyrodactylus is without doubt one of the most important potential problems facing Atlantic salmon managers in Scotland today. Its emergence in the UK would have incalculable repercussions and would render all the hard work on behalf of the salmon over so many years, by so many people, almost valueless.
"Whilst we all have much to do - and sustained vigilance is vital - we have an excellent working partnership with the Scottish Government which is taking all practical measures to raise awareness, put in place preventative measures and prepare a contingency plan that we hope will never need to be used."
The Scottish Government has secured a bilateral agreement with the Norwegian Government in the event of the disease reaching Scotland.
Since Gs first arrived in Norway more than 30 years ago, the Norwegian Government has spent huge sums of public money treating affected rivers and protecting endangered stocks. In 2007, the Gs eradication programme cost around £2 million (Gs is estimated to cost the Norwegian economy £30 million per annum), and Norway's gene bank programme which preserves unique samples of salmon eggs and genetic material costs around £1.5 to 2 million per annum.