Trevor Sawyer
Member
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2003
- Messages
- 11
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Although I personally believe the media hype surrounding the discovery of bird flu in Scotland has been blown out of all proportion (especially the chances of it's theoretical spread to humans), as anglers, we should be aware of what to do if we spot any signs that waterbirds may be infected. We are, after all, the eyes and ears of the waterside.
It seemed obvious to me that the disease would arrive here... migrating waterbirds were almost bound to bring it over fairly quickly from Western Europe and you don't have to be a rocket scientist to work out how easily that would happen. It was inevitable and we should certainly not be surprised if more cases to turn up over the coming weeks.
Although I am solely a river angler and have happily hung up my rods for the traditional closed-season, I am slightly concerned that the authorities will see fit to ban angling in areas where the disease is discovered (remember the Foot & Mouth crisis). I can see no real reason why they should do this while it remains solely a disease of birds, but panicing politicians have been known to do strange things before and I dare say they will continue to do so. Whatever they do, the quicker the disease is spotted, the less it should spread, so it would be in everyone's interest to try to identify any outbreaks early. To this end, DEFRA have apparently set up a bird flu hotline where anglers and other interested parties could report possible outbreaks on 08459 335577. It might be a good idea for anglers to add this number to their mobile phones in case they need to use it. I believe Swans and wild geese are the most likely candidates as they migrate in from long distances, whereas most common ducks such as mallards etc. are less likely to have the disease, at least until it establishes itself over here. Anyway, keep your eyes peeled and lets hope we can get back to some form of normality soon. I'm fed up with it already.
Trev
It seemed obvious to me that the disease would arrive here... migrating waterbirds were almost bound to bring it over fairly quickly from Western Europe and you don't have to be a rocket scientist to work out how easily that would happen. It was inevitable and we should certainly not be surprised if more cases to turn up over the coming weeks.
Although I am solely a river angler and have happily hung up my rods for the traditional closed-season, I am slightly concerned that the authorities will see fit to ban angling in areas where the disease is discovered (remember the Foot & Mouth crisis). I can see no real reason why they should do this while it remains solely a disease of birds, but panicing politicians have been known to do strange things before and I dare say they will continue to do so. Whatever they do, the quicker the disease is spotted, the less it should spread, so it would be in everyone's interest to try to identify any outbreaks early. To this end, DEFRA have apparently set up a bird flu hotline where anglers and other interested parties could report possible outbreaks on 08459 335577. It might be a good idea for anglers to add this number to their mobile phones in case they need to use it. I believe Swans and wild geese are the most likely candidates as they migrate in from long distances, whereas most common ducks such as mallards etc. are less likely to have the disease, at least until it establishes itself over here. Anyway, keep your eyes peeled and lets hope we can get back to some form of normality soon. I'm fed up with it already.
Trev