Infectious agent? thought to be responsible for carp deaths
Initial findings from a study into unexplained carp deaths suggest an unidentified virus or bacteria is involved.
Early lab tests, carried out by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), support the Environment Agency?s theory that Spring Carp Mortality Syndrome (SCMS) is sparked by an infectious agent.
Further tests are now planned, with in-roads into the mystery condition expected later this summer.
The Agency?s National Fisheries Laboratory Manager Sarah Chare said: ?Although in their early stages, the experiments being carried out on our behalf by CEFAS have taken us a step further in showing SCMS to be caused by an infectious agent. This is very important to the Agency because it reinforces the advice we give to carp fisheries to avoid the syndrome?s devastating impact.?
Unexplained large-scale carp mortalities, which occur every spring, have been recorded since the 1980s and have effected some of the country?s best-known carp fisheries.
The Environment Agency carried out a comprehensive study of SCMS in 1998 and 1999 that took more than 100 different fish kills into account. It concluded that an infectious agent was responsible for SCMS.
This was supported by a variety of evidence:
? The mortalities effected carp only.
? Fish showed consistent symptoms, there was a strong relationship between new introductions of carp and SCMS in the existing carp population.
? The pattern and spread of the deaths were consistent with an infectious disease.
Principal Fisheries Officer Phil Bolton, who carried out the initial study, said: ?The CEFAS findings are extremely important and support our initial conclusions. This comes as a reminder to carp fishery managers to protect their stocks by thinking very carefully before they introduce new fish to their waters.?
No evidence has so far been found from SCMS-style mortalities to suggest another cause for the deaths and the advice given by the Agency on carp diseases and mortalities has not changed in view of the latest findings.
Stocking of fish is still believed to be the main route for disease to enter a fishery and the utmost care should be taken when purchasing and stocking fish.
Careful disinfection of all equipment associated with fish movements is essential and responsible anglers should also consider disinfecting their equipment when moving between fisheries. Contaminated equipment, especially when damp, still represents a risk to fisheries. Drying it in full sunlight is very effective, as are the many iodine-based disinfectants.
Fishery owners should always report fish mortalities to the Environment Agency. As well as investigating possible pollution or disease, Agency officers can also provide advice on managing fisheries to prevent similar problems in the future.
Please note:
Anyone finding dead, dying or distressed fish in their waters should contact the Agency immediately. The emergency hotline is 0800 80 70 60.
Contact us...
The Agency has produced a number of booklets and leaflets, both nationally and regionally which may be of use to anglers, these are available by contacting:
General Enquiries Please contact your local Environment Agency office or call our General Enquiry Line: 0654 333 111
Rivercall: 0930 107 703
Fisheries Byelaws...
Fisheries Byelaws are now available on-line from the Environment Agency. Simply visit
www.environment-agency.gov.uk and go to the Fisheries Homepage, or click on the North East section under Regional Information.
Reference
http://www.anglerstimes.co.uk/environmentalagency.htm