Fish & Game assisting MAF on lamprey disease

Fish & Game is very concerned about any new aquatic diseases or organisms in our environment and has been working closely with MAF on the disease affecting Southland kanakana/lamprey.

Fish & Game has forwarded to MAF a number of reports of sick lamprey that maybe infected with this disease. We encourage trout and salmon anglers and other river users who observe any lamprey during the day, or any other sick fish, to contact MAF on their free-phone number (0800 80 99 66).

Whilst observations remain anecdotal, it seems likely that infected lamprey have been observed in at least the Aparima, Oreti, Mataura and Clutha rivers. Fish & Game is very concerned about the health of this remarkable species.

Internationally, there are two strains of this disease and one has a greater impact on salmonids (trout and salmon) than the other. Whilst it’s early days, the fact that the disease is infecting lamprey suggests that it may be the ‘atypical’ strain, which seems less likely to be an issue for trout or salmon.

At this early stage we understand that the ‘typical’ strain is more likely to affect fish that are stressed, such as fish in aquaculture ventures, and is unlikely to affect our healthy wild populations of trout.

This disease serves as a timely reminder to check, clean and dry all gear before moving between waterways.

We’ve listed an alert notice on our website explaining the likely symptoms of the disease in lamprey and the appropriate action to take if you observe any sick fish. We’re also investigating emailing our licence holders to assist in gathering information for MAF on the extent of the spread of the disease in lamprey.

For further information contact Southland Fish & Game officer Zane Moss 0212445384.

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