John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 325: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the current threat to salmon stocks by a parasite worm Anisakis simplex (details supplied); if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that fish infected with this parasite can pass the parasite on to all other fish in that river; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that fish infected with this parasite are not safe to handle or eat; if he will issue warnings to persons who could come in contact with infected fish not to handle them without protective clothing as the parasite could enter the body through open wounds and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26360/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Deputy for providing me with the opportunity to allay any fears among the public caused by inaccurate reports about a particular parasite affecting salmon stocks. I am advised by the Marine Institute that in early September anglers had noticed that some salmon caught on the River Blackwater were infected with a parasite. Samples were analysed and the parasite was identified as Anisakis species. Anisakis is not uncommon. The best advice to the public is to observe good hygiene practice by washing hands after handling fresh fish and to thoroughly cook fish as normal. The most important thing to emphasise is that parasites in fish are parasites of cold-water animals. Once the flesh of the fish is well cooked there is no risk to human health.

The occurrence of this parasite does not represent serious infectious pressure to the coarse fish population. Salmon can be intermediate hosts or occasionally final hosts for this parasite. In order for freshwater fish to become infected, they must eat returning salmon, or possibly flesh from dead salmon. If freshwater fish were to become infected, they would merely act as another intermediate host. The life cycle of the parasite would not be completed in these freshwater fish. There can be no association between falling salmon numbers and the burden of Anisakis so far described. There is no history of high numbers in Irish salmon or of the capability of Anisakis to cause epidemics that might wipe out populations of fish. Indeed some authors describe Anisakis as being of little importance except for the human aspect. Anglers who are concerned about any apparent parasitic infestations or diseases in fish should contact their local regional fisheries board staff, who will know who to contact and how best to collect and preserve fish for examination.