Hi Robbie, thought I would forward this info from Dr Andy Burrows from the 
University Field Station near Sallochy Loch Lomond. After reading about the 
parasite on your Leven Site I contacted him for info. Hope this is helpful
Regards, Alex

Hi Alex,

Apologies for not getting back to you sooner on this.
There is no danger to humans from this parasite from handling or indeed
eating - unless the fish are eaten raw or poorly cooked !!!!

This is widespread in grilse this year and action is being coordinated
across Scotland via FRS. I would like to hear all reports of
Lomond/Leven
fish caught in this condition and any indications of this should be
reported
to me at LLFT and then to FRS (this can be done directly or via me). It
would be useful to disseminate this info as widely as possible eg via
the
radio etc. I have cut and pasted in a memo from RAFTS on the subject
below
for your information.


                                                   

A widely noted feature of this years run of grilse are reports of fish
with
distended and bleeding vents. This has occurred in fish previously,
although
there is certainly a much greater number of affected fish over a wider
geographical spread than more isolated incidents in previous years.
There
has been speculation as to what might be causing this, the most
prevalent
being that it could be due to the infestation of a small round worm
which is
quite common in wild fish. Anisakis simplex is such a worm which is
often
found in wild fish and can cause problems in humans if the fish is eaten

raw.

I would emphasize, however, that no formal identification of the problem
has
yet been made. Fisheries Research Services are actively investigating
this
and they have noted the following:


*       Initial observations of wild salmon exhibiting hemorrhaged
and/or
swollen vents were made in a population of fish collected for sampling
for
other purposes.

*        Returning fish with similar symptoms have been reported as
having
been observed in 23 rivers

*        The condition is geographically widespread, with rivers on both
the
east and west coast reporting apparently similarly affected fish.

*        The vast majority of affected fish appear to be grilse, but it
has
been reported in a few multi-sea winter fish.

*        Both hen and cock fish are affected.

*        With the exception of the damage to the vent, the fish appear
to be
in good condition.


What has been done by FRS

1.         A wide spectrum of diagnostic samples have been taken from a
number of fish in different catchments exhibiting signs of hemorrhaged
or
swollen vents.



2.         Further sites where significant numbers of affected fish have

been identified have been targeted for further sampling



3.         A more focused sampling plan will be activated once initial
results are available.



What further information do FRS require

1. Any person catching fish exhibiting signs of hemorrhaged vents
should
report it, either to the local salmon fishery board / fishery trust for
onward reporting to FRS or report it directly to FRS. The more detail
that
can be provided will allow us to gain a better understanding of the
situation in Scotland, but the following information would be useful:



The river or catchment where the fish was caught
A grid reference if possible, or a geographical reference, especially in
the
larger catchments of where the fish was caught
A description of what you have seen
An indication of the number of fish that you have seen with hemorrhaged

vents, with reference to the total number of fish that have been
examined
(the prevalence)
An estimate of the fishes age - is it a grilse or a msw fish


You can contact the fish health inspectorate by e-mail at:
fishhealth@marlab.ac.uk, or call 01224 876544 and ask to be put through
to
the Duty Inspector.