There are reports of small numbers of fish exhibiting signs of bleeding and/or ulceration being caught in Norway, Ireland and Scotland. These symptoms have been reported as being mainly along the area on the belly of the fish between the head and the tail. At the moment what is causing this trauma is unknown. Therefore it is incredibly important that the fish are screened for pathogens by an appropriate authority, and to do this they must be kept alive until a Fish Health Inspector can examine them. Unfortunately dead fish cannot provide the information needed to inform people of what is going on.
It would be advisable, if you do catch and land one of these fish, to follow normal biosecurity protocols and to disinfect your fishing tackle, landing net, waders and fishing jacket. If you do catch one of these fish please contact the bailiffs in the first instance otherwise Marine Scotland on the number shown.
The contact numbers for the various Fish Health Inspectors and organisations are:
Ireland – Marine Institute ( Fish Health ) https://www.marine.ie/Home/site-area/areas-activity/fish-health/fish-health Tel: (+)353 (0)9 138 7200
Scotland – Marine Scotland Fish Health Inspectorate, https://www2.gov.scot/Topics/marine/Fish-Shellfish/FHI/Personnel Tel : 0131 244 3498
England and Wales – National Fish Laboratory, Email: fish.health@environment-agency.gov.uk Tel : 01480 41458
Northern Ireland – DAERA Northern Ireland, https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/northern-ireland-disease-status-and-designation-notices Tel: 028 44 618090
Once we have further details as to what is causing this trauma we will place them on our website and social media pages.
