The River Deveron District Salmon Fishery Board

Code of Practice to Avoid the Introduction of Gyrodactylus Salaris to GB

This Code of Practice forms a key part of the communication process required between angling associations, river authorities, fishery owners, fish farmers, policy branches and scientists and provides practical measures to prevent the introduction of G. Salaris to Great Britain. The Code describes activites that could potentially result in the introduction of G. Salaris and steps that should be taken to ensure risk is minimised There are checklists for those carrying out high-risk activities including how to deal with equipment used in infected areas, particularly that associated with angling and in direct contact with fish, which is re-used in GB. Specific risks are noted with each activity and suggestions are made as to how these risks can be minimised. A checklist is offered to anglers who have fished outside the UK within the previous seven days.

A comprehensive copy of the code can be downloaded (.pdf format, 1.7Mb). Click here.

In some Norwegian rivers infested with the parasite salmon stocks have been lost forever. Therefore, it is essential that this parasite is not introduced to the British Isles.

The parasite is very hardy, capable of surviving long periods in fishing gear. It is possible that a single specimen, imported by accident, would be capable of starting an epidemic in this country.

Anglers must take special steps to ensure that their equipment is not contaminated.
Anglers travelling from areas which are not designated as free of Gyrodactylus salaris should take precautions. All fishing equipment should be thoroughly cleaned, then treated, to kill any parasites by either :
- drying at a minimum of 20 degrees C for two days
- heating for an hour at 60 degrees C
- deep freezing for a day
- immersion in a solution suitable for killing Gyrodactylus salaris for 10 minutes. Chemical solutions recommended are Virkon (1%), sodiuum chloride (3%), sodium hydroxide (0.2%).

Before fishing the rivers you should complete an Anglers Declaration relating to the cleanliness of your tackle. The form can be downloaded here.

You should obtain a valid certificate from the relevant fish health regulatory authority in the country of origin or at the point of entry in GB.
For more information, contact : Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen, PO Box 101, Victoria Road, Aberdeen, AB11 9DB.
Telephone 01224 876544. www.marlab.ac.uk

When the UK joined the EU, policies, regulations and directives have come to have a direct bearing on rural life.

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) will have major implications for farmers and the rural community. The Directive came into operation in December 2000 and it's implementation will change the way water and river systems are managed and how they are viewed and protected. Recent statements by the Scottish Executive underline the importance for farming and the rural community; 'The scope of the WFD is not restricted to lochs, rivers or coastal waters - it requires consideration from any human intervention which might affect the quality of water'. The directive is not just aimed at water bodies but to any activity which will affect the quality of water.

The costs of implementing this massive task in Scotland alone amounts to between Ł0.8bn and Ł1bn and the last date by which 'good status' is to be acheived is December 2027.

Benefits will be an improvement in the quality of water, recreation, angling and general amenity.