Fish Health and Welfare - Diseases - Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA)

Newsletter No.5

Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) is a disease which affects salmon in seawater, and can cause serious damage to fish stocks.

It is a notifiable disease under fish health legislation. It is Scottish Government's policy to attempt eradication where outbreaks occur.

A sixth case of Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA), has been confirmed in Shetland.

Statutory movement restrictions have been placed on all sites in the control zone and wider surveillance zone.

Control arrangements put in place January 2, 2009.
Inspections of all sites containing fish in Control Zone and Surveillance Zone now completed. January 9, 2009.
Controls are in place on the movement of live and dead fish and vessels and equipment, to reduce the risk of disease occurring.
For the confirmed sites, a compulsory fallow of six months is required.
For the suspect sites, a fallow period will be determined once the results of ongoing investigations are to hand.
In the Control Zone, all sites must be fallowed synchronously for a minimum of 6 weeks after the last farm has been cleared of fish.
Marine Scotland Information and Advice Line for anyone with queries about ISA is 01224 876 544.
Out of hours Duty Fish Health Inspector (available 24-hours a day) for dealing with urgent industry enquiries on 01224 876 544.
Enquires to Scottish Government on 0131 244 6225.
Compensation has been offered to one Shetland company which had to destroy healthy fish as a result of ISA movement restrictions.
European Fisheries Fund resources will be made available to affected small and medium-sized enterprises.