The Shuswap Watershed Council is highlighting whirling disease during Invasive Species Action Month.
In a social media post, the council said the disease is not present in the Shuswap, though it is important to prevent its spread.
Whirling disease is caused by a parasite that infects trout, salmon and whitefish. It can cause significant mortality in juvenile fish. Affected fish develop a deformed spine, causing them to swim in a whirling motion. Fish affected by the disease may also develop a blackened tail.
According to the council, the disease is present in the Columbia River watershed, water bodies in Yoho National Park and Kootenay Lake. Whirling disease is also present in the Bow River watershed in Alberta.
The council said the disease can spread through spores that attach to boats and watercraft, water gear, fishing equipment, pets, fish and fish parts.
It is urging boaters to clean, drain and dry watercraft every time they are removed from the water, pull watercraft drain plugs during every trip on B.C. roads and stop for inspections while travelling.
“Adhere to water activity restrictions in place in some B.C. Parks (Mount Assiniboine and Mount Robson provincial parks) and national parks (Yoho, Kootenay, Banff, Jasper, Waterton). These restrictions are in place to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species,” the council said in its social media post.
More information about whirling disease is available on the B.C. government website.
