CSISS Best Practices

• May 1, 2024
• • Member News

The Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society (CSISS) would like to share some of the best practices and general information about whirling disease, as well as offer regional outreach to Columbia Shuswap organizations and communities.

Whirling Disease is a disease affecting juvenile salmonid fish including trout and whitefish. It is caused by a microscopic parasite, Myxobolus cerebralis, which infects fish through their skin. Although there is no risk to human health, the parasite can be lethal in rainbow (including steelhead) and cutthroat trout under four months of age. In infected waters, whirling disease may cause high mortality in fish populations depending on the age and size of the salmonid host (trout, salmon, whitefish); juvenile fish are most susceptible to infection. The severity of an outbreak is difficult to predict due to various interacting factors between habitat, and environmental conditions.  However, in extreme circumstances, localized population collapses of more than 90% have been observed in some streams in the Western United States.

As you may have heard, Whirling Disease is now in the Eastern part of the Columbia Shuswap Region:

• On October 27, 2023, Parks Canada closed all water access in Yoho and Kootenay national parks following the discovery of a suspected case of whirling disease in Emerald Lake, British Columbia. This was the first detection of whirling disease in the province. Further testing detected whirling disease in the Kicking Horse River, Wapta Lake, Finn Creek, Monarch Creek and the confluence of the Emerald and Kicking Horse rivers. These results were confirmed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency testing in December 2023.
  
• To reduce the risk of further spread of whirling disease and protect vulnerable species at risk, all waterbodies in Yoho and Kootenay national parks are closed to watercraft and angling until March 31, 2025. These restrictions are designed to help protect fish species vulnerable to whirling disease, including several trout species and Kokanee salmon. This closure will also provide Parks Canada with an opportunity to conduct further sampling and monitoring actions, which will inform future management actions.
  
• Protecting lakes and rivers is a collective responsibility. We all have an important role to play.

CSISS would like to highlight a few key points:

– Whirling Disease is federally regulated through the Canadian Food Inspection Agency 

– The Province, Parks Canada, and CFIA are all coordinating on monitoring and next steps, and CSISS is staying apprised of how it can support regionally.

– Invasive Species Council of BC (ISCBC) has a webinar presentation from Parks Canada on whirling disease on May 28th 12-1pm PST: https://bcinvasives-ca.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BTNSOswGSoaEKJ1x0TnRxg#/registration.

– YOU’RE INVITED: Following the webinar above, CSISS will host a North Columbia regional discussion on whirling disease (May 28th 1-2pm PST) to encourage regional outreach and prevention best practices, including an update from Provincial WLRS staff. See zoom registration link here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrdOiupjwsE9Qqw9Rik2qHc303UJMbRSr1


Best Practices for preventing the spread of whirling disease:

• Never move fish or fish parts from one waterbody to another.
• Use fish cleaning stations where available or put fish parts in the local solid waste system. Do not dispose of fish or any fish parts in a kitchen garburator.
• Clean, Drain and Dry boats or any equipment (waders, life jackets, kayaks, etc.) before moving between waterbodies.
  

Clean Drain Dry Best Practices:

• Clean: Clean and inspect watercraft, trailers, and all equipment that has been in contact with water or fish. This includes boats, motors, bait buckets, and swim floats. Remove all mud, sand and plant material before leaving the shore. Rinse, scrub, or pressure wash your boat away from storm drains, ditches or waterways. Bathe pets before allowing them to enter another water body.
• Drain: Before leaving the shoreline, drain water from watercraft and equipment onto dry land.
• Dry: Dry the watercraft and/or equipment completely between trips and allow the wet areas to air dry. Allow a minimum of 24 hours of drying time before entering new waters. Leave compartments open on boats and equipment and sponge out standing water.