IF YOU PADDLE ABROAD.....

[TomW]

If you partake in the glorious sport of kayaking in foriegn parts, in the search of warmer climates and better access, then as responsible kayakers PLEASE wash all your kit and boat properly before and after your trip.

The following article has been taken from the front webpage of the ACA (Angling) website. Although very typical of the big talk ACA attitude, it is a valid enough warning about the spreading of non-native organisms and does echo other recent spreads such as the arrival of the algae Didymo in NZ.

One thing that did surprise me was the so-called government campaign to inform paddlers about the issue. I've seen nothing about it yet personally, but apologies if this is old news to people.........

ACA fires warning shots about Gyrodactylus January 4th, 2006

The ACA has threatened to take legal action against anyone who brings a deadly new fish parasite to the UK. Gyrodactylus Salaris is a real threat to salmon fisheries in the UK. It has cost Norway more than £350m so far and Norwegian rivers, apparently cleaned and re-stocked, have become re-infected. It would be catastrophic if the parasite reached our shores, as it spreads very rapidly through river systems and is initially difficult to detect.

Government campaigns have been directed at anglers and canoeists, correctly urging them to clean their equipment after contact with Norwegian waters. However, fears are growing that the movement of eggs and live fish between the Norwegian and Scottish salmon farming industries carries with it the risk, which we should not be taking, of introducing G. salaris into our fisheries and salmon stocks. The net economic capital value of salmon fishing in the UK has been estimated to be over £250 million. G. salaris infects the skin, gills and fins of salmon, trout and some other species of freshwater fish and it could decimate salmonid stocks throughout the UK.

Mark Lloyd, ACA Executive Director, said:
“It is quite clear that G. salaris has the potential to cause untold damage if it were to reach the UK. The ACA’s message to the salmon farming industry is clear: if infected fish or eggs are imported from Norway, the ACA will seek many tens of millions of pounds in compensation for our members for their loss of angling amenity and the diminution in capital value of fisheries. The ACA is working closely with other members of the Fisheries and Angling Conservation Trust (FACT) to do everything we can to prevent this nightmare scenario occurring.”

Guy Linley-Adams, ACA Solicitor, said:
“From a legal point of view, the risks are well known to the salmon farming industry. The potential for damaging wild salmon fisheries is also well known. The industry should think long and hard about whether it is worth running the risk of live imports. Let there be no doubt that, if the worst happens and G. salaris does arrive, and the introduction can be shown on balance of probabilities to have been the fault of the salmon farming industry, then ACA solicitors will come knocking on behalf of its members.”

[robt]

... ACA has threatened ... Guy Linley-Adams ...

Sound familiar?

I was always under the impression that if I came back from abroad with my boat and kit, left it in a shed for two weeks in which time it totally dried out, any nasty things would die.

Should I be better and wash my boat + kit? With what? I have never brought a live salmon back from abroad in my boat yet, so am probably safe from the attentions of the ACA for a little while.

[TomW]

I was always under the impression that if I came back from abroad with my boat and kit, left it in a shed for two weeks in which time it totally dried out, any nasty things would die.

To the best of my knowledge you are right, however is this always the case though? I'm sure there are people who would already be out boating within days of arriving back. Also do you always make sure that last bit of water is out of your boat, such that it would dry properly?

Is it worth the risk to the environment not to take 10 minutes out to clean your kit anyway?

Should I be better and wash my boat + kit? With what?

Taken for the case in NZ, but would probably get rid of most stuff - "The most reliable method of ensuring kayaks, canoes, dinghys and associated equipment, gear and clothing are cleaned thoroughly is to scrub or spray all parts of the exterior of the craft with a 2% solution of bleach or a 5% solution of salt, nappy cleaner, antiseptic hand cleaner or dishwashing detergent. Ensure surface contact for at least one minute. Then fill the interior of the craft with cleaning solution and place all associated equipment, gear and clothing used in the boating activity into the boat, immerse completely and stir for at least one minute. The equipment may then be rinsed using water that has come from a town water supply."

I have never brought a live salmon back from abroad in my boat yet, so am probably safe from the attentions of the ACA for a little while.

Agreed, the article isn't even directly aimed at kayakers, rather I was just using this as an example to highlight the issue among paddlers.

[Mark R]

Guy Linley-Adams, ACA Solicitor, said: “...ACA solicitors will come knocking..."

Prat.


Perfectly valid issue though, no reason why we shouldn't be rinsing kit after overseas use.