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Parasite could wipe out salmon industry

UK - A Norwedian parasite could destroy the Scottish salmon industry, according to a government report which warns that it would cost the economy up to 600m and 2,000 jobs, writes Mark Macaskill.

Scientists commissioned by the Scottish executive say that thousands of wild and farmed salmon would be destroyed if the bug, gyrodactylus salaris, enters the country’s waterways.

The parasite has already wrought havoc in Norway where 300 tons of fish in 40 rivers have been infected. It was introduced from Sweden when salmon smolts were imported to meet growing demand.

Efforts to prevent it entering Britain have so far proved successful but there are fears that it could be imported by the increasing numbers of anglers travelling between Scotland and Scandinavia.

Source: The Sunday Times