Fears deadly salmon illness will spread out to wild stock

Calls for urgent action to tackle infectious disease

HUNDREDS of thousands of diseased salmon have died in Hebrides and Wester Ross farms sparking fears the illness may spread to Scotland’s wild stock.

It is understood that four farm sites have been affected by an outbreak of Amoebic Gill Disease (AGD), including West Loch Tarbert and East Loch Tarbert on Harris, Loch Greshornish on Skye and the Isle of Ewe in Wester Ross.

Marine Harvest salmon farms have been particularly affected by the disease, which causes many fish to suffocate to death, it is said.

The Salmon and Trout Conservation Scotland has called on Scottish ministers to intervene to protect wild fish.

Salmon and Trout Conservation Scotland (S&TCS) said that up to quarter of the stock at the affected fish farms are understood to have been lost, with dead fish transported to Wigan in Greater Manchester for incineration.

Paul Hopper, senior biologist at the Outer Hebrides Fisheries Trust (OHFT), which conducts scientific research into wild fish stocks and advises on freshwater fisheries management, urged fish farmers to keep open lines of communication to ensure the disease did not spread. He said it had taken some time before fish farmers made contact with the OHFT about the problem.

S&TCS claimed Marine Harvest was “struggling to manage the situation and has been slow to admit the extent of the problems”.

It said: “S&TCS is adamant that the Scottish Government should act now to protect wild fish.”

Mr Hopper warned that incidents of the disease have been recorded in Scotland at water temperatures as low as 7.5°C and so they cannot rely on a drop in sea water temperature to help alleviate the situation imminently.

He said: “We are extremely concerned about Amoebic Gill Disease in West Loch Tarbert as well as the earlier lack of communication on this outbreak from the company involved.

“Having now held meetings with the local fish farmers, we have been reassured that the industry is working hard to improve the situation through treatments and careful management of their stocks.”

Bill Whyte, chairman of the Wester Ross Area Salmon Fishery Board, added: “The cloak of secrecy surrounding the presence of AGD at Marine Harvest’s farm in Loch Ewe is inexcusable. This outbreak of AGD must surely prompt further questions as to the suitability and viability of Loch Ewe for salmon farming. Prior to the arrival of the industry in Loch Ewe, the Loch Maree system was an iconic fishery for both wild salmon and sea trout.”

Andrew Graham-Stewart, director of S&TCS, said: “If any terrestrial farming industry was beset by a similarly rampant and highly contagious disease, the authorities would step in immediately and ruthlessly cull all affected stocks.”

Steve Bracken, business support manager at Marine Harvest (Scotland) Ltd, said: “We have had challenges in the Western Isles and some mainland sites with AGD during the summer and autumn months, but once the sea temperature gets colder the disease lessens and we expect to be clear of it.

“Our experience has been that the best cure for AGD is fresh water which we need more of to resist the disease.”

‘‘ The cloak of secrecy surrounding the presence of AGD at Marine Harvest’s farm is inexcusable

TWO-YEAR-OLD Lucy Hunter gets a lift as she proves you are never too young to support a good cause.

Lucy, from Uddingston, was joined by Scottish entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter, left, and former Celtic star John Hartson for the launch of the 2017 Kiltwalk.

An army of Kiltwalkers, including Lucy’s father David, raised £840,000 for children’s charities through this year’s event. And the 2017 Kiltwalk, backed by Sir Tom, will also benefit a number of good causes, including the John Hartson Foundation. Picture: Colin Mearns