July 3, 2006

UK fish farms may lose nine million fish

Trout farmers in England's Yorkshire are facing the prospect of huge losses as a ban on fish movement condemns trouts that have outgrown their pens to certain death.

33 Yorkshire trout farms were quarantined after viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) hit a British farm recently. Results of a second round of tests would not be available at least for another week, which might be too late for the fish.

The virus emerged in May when dead fish was discovered at the Nidderdale Trout Farm. 250,000 fish were humanely destroyed and 33 fish farms in the River Ouse's Yorkshire catchment area were quarantined.

Fish farmers are seeking permission to cull millions of fish under quarantine to make way for new ones.

With temperatures rising and falling water levels, less oxygen is available for fish, meaning the fish may suffocate if not transferred soon.

The virus, which came in the middle of the restocking season, made the bad situation worse.

No new cases of the disease, apart from that of a wild fish, have been reported since the initial outbreak.

Fisheries Minister Ben Bradshaw said he was aware of the concerns but the priority was to stop the disease from ruining Britain's fish health record.

He encouraged the industry to set up its own compensation scheme but ruled out any direct Government payment.