The Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society wants public feedback on their survey about whirling disease.
The goal of the survey is to get a better understanding of awareness levels and support future prevention and containment efforts in the Columbia-Shuswap region.
Whirling disease is a parasitic disease that affects juvenile salmonid fish including salmon, trout and whitefish. There is no risk to human health, although the parasite can be lethal in rainbow and cutthroat trout under four months of age.
According to the CSISS, whirling disease can cause deformities with these fish, leading to upwards of 90 per cent mortality. Whirling disease can be transported through water equipment and fish parts and was recently detected in the Columbia River Watershed.
Preventing the disease can followed by the Clean, Drain, Dry method. This means cleaning and inspecting watercrafts, draining water from the watercraft and putting equipment on dry land. Drying the watercraft completely between trips is the last step in the method.
On May 17, 2024, the province made the transportation of watercrafts with the drain plug in place illegal. In December 2024, whirling disease was detected in Kootenay Lake.
The Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society would like to know the community’s knowledge on the disease.
There is also a survey specifically made for business owners and operators.
