Gyrodactylus salaris

Species

Distribution

Gyrodactylus salaris

Impacts

Pathways

• Has catastrophic impact on non tolerant Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) populations such as those in Scotland and Norway.
• Has largely exterminated S. salar in 41 Norwegian rivers
• Known to also occur on rainbow trout, brown trout, sea trout, arctic char, grayling, brook trout, lake trout and the eel

• Transfer from contaminated fish or bait. In Norway wild stocks were infected by transfer from farmed fish transferred from Sweden
• Can survive several days in damp and/or wet conditions and so can be transferred on any improperly dried clothing and/or equipment that has been in contact with infected water of fish such as waders, fishing equipment, bags, canoes and windsurf gear.

Management

Prevention

Preventative measures for GS are described in the  Code of Practice to Avoid the Introduction of Gyrodactylus salaris to GB

Physical control

None

Chemical control

Eradication has been attempted in a number of Norwegian rivers using rotenone. Further information on this can be found by clicking here

Biological control

None

Links

• The Scottish government’s Fish Diseases-Gyrodactylus salaris website.
• The dedicated Gyrodactylus salaris website, and
• The Fisheries Research Services website that gives information on Gyrodactylus salaris.