The Gyrodactylus salaris (Gs) parasite kills salmon by attacking the fish's skin, gills and fins. Over the past 30 years, it has wiped out salmon populations in 20 Norwegian rivers.

Once established, it can only be eliminated by poisoning, thus killing all the fish in complete river systems.

Efforts to restore fish stocks in afflicted rivers take many years, with no guarantee of success.

The threat to the salmon rivers of the northern counties, a vital component of the local economy, is considered so serious that the Salmon Fishery Boards of Sutherland and Caithness united this week to issue a joint warning.

Chairman of the North and West District Salmon Fishery Board, Charles Marsham of Rispond Estate near Durness, explained: "We are asking anglers, and other users of our rivers, to be especially vigilant against accidentally introducing Gs.

"If this parasite, which is native to rivers in the Baltic Sea and has spread to many other European countries, came to the north of Scotland, it would cause a catastrophic decline in wild salmon numbers."

The parasite can survive for several days on angling equipment. It is imperative that if equipment has been used in an area where Gs may be present, it is properly cleaned and treated before it is brought to the north of Scotland.

Mr Marsham continued: "It is vital that all visiting anglers are properly vetted before they start fishing. If they have been fishing overseas recently, then all their equipment should be disinfected.

"There is simply far too much at stake. There can be no doubt that Gs represents the greatest single threat to the future of our salmon populations. It would be an ecological catastrophe."

Chairman of the Kyle of Sutherland District Salmon Fishery Board, John Green, added: "If Gs were to gain a foothold here, it would kill off the local angling industry.

"It is important to remember that several hundred jobs would be at risk locally in Sutherland and Caithness.

"By being aware of this parasite and taking a few simple precautions, it is possible to reduce the risks appreciably and thus help to ensure that our rivers are blessed with good runs of salmon for decades to come."

Mr Green added: "It is worth emphasising that all types of anglers from much of Europe pose a risk. These include coarse anglers who may inadvertently have picked up the parasite in, for example, France or Spain in rivers that may well not even have salmon populations.

"An additional precautionary measure should be the rigorous disinfection of all canoes and any other water-based recreational equipment used abroad, such as the wetsuits of canoeists being brought into the area, in case they harbour the parasite."

The warning and appeal to river users has been backed by the Helmsdale District Salmon Fishery Board, the Brora District Salmon Fishery Board, the Northern District Salmon Fishery Board and the Caithness District Salmon Fishery Board.

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