 Jack Charlton, a keen angler, urged enthusiasts to take heed |
Football legend Jack Charlton has backed a new campaign aimed at keeping a deadly parasite out of rivers. The former footballer, who was part of the England team which won the World Cup in 1966, is now a keen angler.
He gave his support, in Perthshire, to the Scottish Executive's drive to keep rivers free from gyrodactylus salaris.
If it reaches Scottish waters it is claimed it could destroy the �60m salmon fishing industry and cost about 2,000 jobs.
The parasite, which is harmless to humans but deadly to salmon, has not reached the UK, but is prevalent in several European countries.
'Take precautions'
Backing the Home and Dry campaign, the former Republic of Ireland manager urged anglers, water sports enthusiasts and walkers who travel to affected countries to ensure their equipment was safe before being used in Scotland.
Speaking from Stanley, on the banks of the River Tay, he said: "Anglers who fish abroad need to make sure they leave the bug behind.
"No angler wants to be the one responsible for bringing this in and they need to take precautions."
MSPs recently agreed new laws giving ministers powers to order the compulsory slaughter of fish to eradicate the parasite.
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