FISH MORTALITIES
The SAA works closely with the Environment Agency and one of itsprimary concerns is fish diseases, which include carp mortalities.The deaths of carp in the spring and early summer is a major problem.As temperatures rise through the spring carp are susceptible to SVCand outbreaks of Spring Carp Mortality Syndrome (SCMS).
During 1998 and 1999 the Environment Agency ran a project to lookinto what became known as Spring Carp Mortality Syndrome (SCMS), thefindings of which highlighted the risks of stocking carp to establishcarp fisheries. Spring Viraemia of Carp (SVC) was also underlined asa continued threat to carp. Many of the outbreaks of SVC are believedto have been linked to imports of carp.
The SAA urges all anglers to report any suspected cases of fishdisease, including SCMS and SVC, to improve the understanding ofthese and other fish diseases. The SAA also want to assist NigelHewlett and his team at the Environment Agency’s National FisheriesLaboratory to expand their monitoring and find long term solutions.SAA want to assist this programme in any way we can and we fullyendorse the following Agency statement:
“During the spring and early summer theEnvironment Agency would like to remind anglers to be particularlyvigilant in observing the health of carp in their fisheries. Whilsttemperatures rise through the spring carp are still susceptible toSVC and outbreaks of Spring Carp Mortality Syndrome(SCMS).
The classic symptoms of unhealthy carpnearly always involves a period of lethargy prior to their death,this may last for a period of a few hours to a few days. The usualplace to find these fish is in the margins in areas of cover, such asreed stems, overhanging trees etc., although many may stay out in thelake sulking in weed beds and around islands. Just before death thefish are usually found sitting on the lake bed or propped up betweenvegetation and will lie almost motionless. Sick fish may display noobvious external symptoms although they may shows symptoms such asheavy mucus production, open lesions, darkened skin, gaspingetc.
If anglers observe carp dying and/ordisplaying these symptoms please call the local Environment AgencyFisheries office or the national emergency hotline on 0800807060.
The Agency’s team of Fish HealthScientists based at the National Fisheries Laboratory are continuingto investigate carp deaths in the spring as a part of their routineinvestigations into wild fish mortalities.
For more information on Spring CarpMortality Syndrome, a leaflet outlining the major findings andrecommendations is available free of charge. Please call the generalenquiry line on 0845 7223344″.
