SCMS – Can You Help?

As part of the ongoing research project into SCMS all three organisations involved would like to ask for the angling communities help in allowing the further progression of the project by reporting any carp only fish deaths on fisheries in England and Wales.

Taking a blood sample

To date the specific cause of SCMS mortalities has yet to be identified, although via past and present research, it is suspected that an infectious agent of some form may be involved. The current project is developing molecular DNA tests to identify known fish virus families that will be used to investigate SCMS events, from both historic and future occurrences. This will hopefully allow the causative agent to be identified as being part of one of these distinct virus families or indicating that it is a novel agent.

It is with this in mind that all three organisations are asking the entire angling community to assist them by the reporting of large-scale carp only mortalities they encounter on fisheries around England and Wales during the coming months. In simple terms the more ‘fresh’ samples that can be collected gives the project a better chance of providing an answer to this potentially devastating syndrome.

As part of the Environment Agency’s normal monitoring of fish mortalities in the wild, the Agency will be placing particular emphasis on potential SCMS cases this year to support the ongoing work.

CEFAS, the EA and ECHO therefore actively encourage all anglers and fishery managers alike to report any such ongoing carp deaths, or cases of dead / distressed fish no matter what species, to the EA on 0800 80 70 60. All calls will be treated in strictest confidence.

Viv Shears, ECHO Vice Chairman and ECHO Research Fund Manager said
“The availability of good samples for this SCMS project this spring is essential. I have personally witnessed the effect of this crippling syndrome on fisheries I have been involved with and it is something I do not wish to see happening in the future. So anglers or fishery managers alike I urge you to please contact the EA, CEFAS or ourselves immediately and help us to find the cause of this.”

Ruth Lockwood, ECHO Chair said
“I urge any responsible person involved in angling to help us with information on suspected SCMS cases. The EA, CEFAS and ECHO are all pulling in the same direction. Any of the three organisations can approached with details and feel assured they will be acted upon.”

Kevin Denham, Senior Fish Health Inspector, CEFAS said
“The spring carp mortality project will provide vital evidence to establish whether the unexplained mortalities of carp that we have seen over recent years are the result of an infectious agent or are due to environmental or physiological factors. Identification of the causal agent is essential in the development of strategies for the prevention of such mortalities, and thus protect the future of carp angling in the UK.”

Steve Maidment, Investigations Inspector, CEFAS said
“ECHO, CEFAS and the Environment Agency with active support from FACT are showing that angling bodies and the authorities can and do work well together. Anglers and fishery owners, as the potential beneficiaries of this research, must now do their bit by reporting multiple carp mortalities. Their involvement is likely to be crucial to the success of the project, and it will be interesting to see if their love of the sport extends to helping in this task.”

Jane Snow, Fisheries Scientist, Environment Agency said
“The Environment Agency is committed to continuing investigations into Spring Carp Mortality Syndrome as a part of its routine investigations of disease outbreaks in fisheries. We are working closely with CEFAS and ECHO and this collaboration represents a great opportunity to protect carp fisheries and enhance the advice and support given to fishery owners.

“The impact of SCMS outbreaks can be devastating to carp populations. As well as the loss of valued fish this can have a severe economic impact on the affected fisheries. The Environment Agency therefore asks that anyone suspecting a problem on a water they fish should inform the Agency, CEFAS or ECHO. Each investigation adds to the knowledge we are jointly developing to help fight this threat to our fisheries.”

Jim Glasspool, Chairman of the Fisheries and Angling Conservation Trust, said,
“FACT fully supports this vital research into fish health. We are grateful to ECHO and CEFAS for developing such non-invasive methods and hope that they will shortly bear fruit for all our fish stocks. We encourage all anglers to report fish deaths in support of the research programme and hope that the national angling media will publicise the initiative widely and often.”

NOTES
SCMS events typically involve only common carp (and varieties such as ghost carp etc), occur between March and August and result in a sudden increase in dead fish over a short period of time. Symptoms associated with SCMS events may include excess mucus production, gill necrosis, lesions, osmoregulatory problems and behavioural changes (lethargy).

Development of these tests has progressed well to date and the next step is to use samples collected from SCMS events to see if any viruses can be isolated. Both the EA and CEFAS have historical samples from SCMS cases but these are relatively difficult to work with due to various reasons.

Although funded to investigate SCMS the tests being developed are not solely aimed at identifying carp specific viruses so their development is hoped to benefit the wider coarse fish population as a whole.

The Environment Agency has a duty to maintain, improve and develop inland fisheries. The Agency regards investigating fish disease outbreaks and providing advice to fisheries managers to prevent repeat problems as being a significant aspect of this duty.

Fishery owners, under the Diseases of Fish act 1937 as amended, have a legal duty to report any suspicion of a notifiable disease outbreak to DEFRA (through the CEFAS Fish Health Inspectorate). By notifying the Environment Agency they will fulfil this duty, as the information will be forwarded by the Agency.

Recommendations
One of the outcomes of the initial project was a number of recommendations to fisheries managers to avoid or mitigate the effects of SCMS.

-Avoid stocking carp to waters that already hold an established carp population. Over half of the studied SCMS cases had received a recent introduction of new fish. If possible increase the natural productivity and improve the habitat of the water to promote natural recruitment.

-Disinfect all equipment that comes into contact with the water. Iodophor based disinfectants are effective if used correctly. Carefully drying fishing tackle, nets, etc. and exposing to direct sunlight also has a sterilising effect.

-If a mortality incident occurs stop fishing. This will reduce the stress on the fish and allow the immune system the best chance of fighting the disease. This action would also reduce the risk of spreading an infectious agent to other waters.

-Talk to your local Environment Agency Fisheries Officer. They are able to provide advice and help