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Deadly Fish Virus Has Ability To Decimate Fish Populations |
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Written by Neil Simmons
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Saturday, 19 May 2007 |
The presence of the fatal Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia virus or VHS in the Great Lakes was confirmed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on Friday.
The onus is now being put on anglers and boaters, who are being asked to cooperate in making sure the virus does not spread to other water bodies.
While the virus itself poses no problems to human health, it has the ability to decimate fish populations and this has raised concerns among the fishing community as well as the DNR officials. Lake Winnebago sustains the largest sturgeon population in America at present and while this species is safe from VHS, the extent to which the virus has infected other fish is worrisome.
Biologists are unsure how the virus appeared in the Great Lakes, but one theory is that naturally migrating fish brought it over here. Another perception is that it could have been inadvertently transported through live bait shipments. One positive finding is VHS appears to be active only in spring and fall, but it could hurt the fish population by the season end.
At present only drum fish has fallen a victim to VHS, but according to the Wisconsin DNR some 37 species including salmon, perch and whitefish are at risk of being wiped out in Lake Winnebago because of this virus. VHS virus was first spotted in fish families in the Great Lakes and has killed many fish species in the Great lakes in 2005 and 2006.
According to the DNR some of the signs of VHS include "hemorrhaging in the skin, including large red patches particularly on the sides and anterior portion of the head; multiple hemorrhages on the liver, spleen, or intestines; or hemorrhages on the swim bladder."
A DNR spokesperson had confirmed last week two drum fish have already tested positive for VHS in the Lake Winnebago system. On Friday the DNR confirmed that seven dead freshwater drum also tested positive for the VHS virus. Lakes Huron, Erie and Ontario are also thought to be infected with the virus, but Lake Michigan is safe for now.
The Department of Natural Resources has the following guidelines for anglers and boaters on its website so the spread of the virus to other water bodies is averted.
* Clean boats, trailers, and other equipment thoroughly between fishing trips to keep from transporting undesirable fish pathogens and organisms, from one water body to another with special care to clean fishing equipment when you are done fishing known locations of the fish diseases. A light bleach solution is an excellent disinfectant for cleaning your equipment.
* After cleaning allow boats, trailers, and other equipment to fully dry for 4 to 6 hours in the sun.
* Do not move fish or fish parts from one body of water to another.
* Do not release live bait into any water body.
* Handle fish as gently as possible if you intend to release them and release them as quickly as possible.
* Refrain from hauling the fish for long periods in live wells if you intend to release them.
* Report unusual numbers of dead or dying fish to Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division offices.
* Educate other anglers about the measure they can take to prevent the spread of fish diseases and other aquatic nuisance species.
Consumers are encouraged to report fish kills or sick fish to their local DNR office or report through the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr. The DNR said prompt reports will help it take appropriate measures to prevent or slow the spread of the VNS virus.
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