Following the earlier appeal for a fish with a
bleeding vent to be handed in to the Tweed Foundation for examination, a Grilse
caught at Allanton on the Whiteadder by Mr. David Paxton was handed in September
4th.
The leading theory at present is that it is infestation
by small Roundworm, Anisakis simplex
and certainly, when this particular fish was opened, a cluster of roundworms was found inside the
body cavity, where the intestine meets the body wall to form the vent.
This worm is commonly found in wild fish and the
advice is that, as always, fish should be properly cooked before eating.
Fishery Research Services (FRS) have today issues the
following statement:
“Since early June 2007 there have been reports from
across
Fisheries Research Services are investigating the
cause and extent of the problem and have produced an information leaflet on Red
Vent Syndrome (Red
Vent Syndrome (RVS) in Wild Atlantic Salmon (Salmo
salar) available
for download from the FRS website). The leaflet provides
detailed information on the investigations and images of external signs of the
condition.
Anyone concerned about this issue or finding fish
with these symptoms should contact Fish Health Inspectorate at FRS Marine
Laboratory, telephone 01224 876544 and ask for the Duty Inspector,
alternatively e-mail fishhealth@marlab.ac.uk”
The Tweed Foundation does NOT require more fish to
investigate but would be pleased to receive information on the incidence of the
condition as follows:
1) A note on how many of the total number of
fish they had caught had this symptom
2) The date and place of capture of these
fish
3) A photograph of one or more of the vents
4) Whether the affected fish were Grilse or
Salmon.
Many thanks to
Mr. Paxton for donating his fish.
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