Save Michigan's Bait Business

POSTED: August 23, 2007

http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2007/08/14/wi/05wi0814.txt

08/14/07 The Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. * State agriculture officials issue more rules to combat the spread of a deadly fish virus.

Beginning immediately, the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is requiring all fish stocked into Wisconsin’s public waters to be tested specifically for the VHS virus that causes a wide variety of fish to bleed to death.

The rules also call for testing bait fish susceptible to the virus and fish raised in private ponds or fish farms before they can be stocked.

Farmers can continue to move fish between farms with only a health certificate, which doesn’t require a VHS test. But they will have to test the fish before stocking public waters.

VHS has been spreading in the Great Lakes and inland waters.

POSTED: August 13, 2007

Stability of 9 VHS Isolates in Seawater - Parry and Dixon 1997.pdf

POSTED: August 13, 2007

VHS Fact Sheet 08/01/2007

POSTED: July 30, 2007

Attached is our final MI DNR VHS Disinfection Policy that is now fully in effect for Division management activities.

Hope you find this helpful.

Gary

MI DNR VHS Equipment Disinfection Policy

POSTED: July 30, 2007

USGS VHS Fact Sheet

POSTED: July 23, 2007

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that three new locations have been found with fish infected with Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS): Little Salmon River in Mexico, Oswego County, the Seneca - Cayuga Canal, and an isolated farm pond in Ransomville, Niagara County. Fish infected with VHS have been previously documented from Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, the Niagara River, the St. Lawrence River, Conesus Lake and Skaneateles Lake.

VHS is a disease that causes the hemorrhaging of the fish’s tissues, including internal organs. Often, infected fish do not exhibit any external signs of having the disease. The disease affects all sizes of fish and not all infected fish develop the disease, but can continue to carry it and spread it to others. There is no known cure for VHS. The impact of this particular strain of VHS on fish populations is uncertain. It has caused fish mortalities ranging from a few fish to thousands of fish. The disease is specific to fish and is not a human health concern.

In the Little Salmon River, a single rainbow trout tested positive for VHS. This is the first detection of VHS in rainbow trout found in New York. The canal is separated from Lake Ontario by a series of locks along the Oswego and Erie canals. VHS-positive sunfish were also collected during a fish kill in the Seneca - Cayuga Canal.

Sunfish and koi were found to be VHS positive in the Ransomville farm pond. The property owner reported that all the fish in the pond appear to be dead. Fish had been transferred from nearby Twelve Mile Creek during the summer of 2006 as part of a fish rescue operation. The transferred fish were the likely cause of VHS being introduced to pond’s fish population. This incident demonstrates the risk of moving fish from one waterbody to another, even during well intentioned “fish rescue” operations. DEC regulations prohibit moving fish, including bait fish, from one body of water to another if they are not first certified disease free of certain diseases such as VHS and without a DEC stocking permit.

Based on recent test results, carp and lake trout are among a few new species, including the Little Salmon River rainbow trout, found in New York to be susceptible to VHS. A single dead carp collected during a gizzard shad fish kill from Dunkirk Harbor, Lake Erie, in April, 2007, tested positive. A single lake trout collected from Skaneateles Lake on June 1, 2007 also tested positive.

DEC’s regulations that help prevent the spread of VHS and other diseases into New York’s inland waters are available online from the Department of State at www.dos.state.ny.us/info/register/2007/jun6/pdfs/rules.pdf. The regulations restrict the movement of bait fish and the stocking of fish into New York’s waters. Frequently asked questions can be found on the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/33072.html. In addition to complying with the VHS regulations, DEC encourages anglers to be vigilant in keeping live wells clean. Live wells should be cleaned with a 10 percent bleach-to-water solution (1 3/4 cups bleach per gallon of water). This will kill the VHS virus and most other aquatic invasive species and diseases.

The public is advised to contact their nearest DEC regional office if they witness a large number of dead or dying fish (usually 100 or more). Questions about VHS and potential DEC actions to prevent its spread can be e-mailed to fwfish@gw.dec.state.ny.us or by calling 518-402-8896. The public is also advised to regularly check the Department website www.dec.ny.gov for updated information on V518-402-8000

POSTED: July 23, 2007

VHS fear leads to deaths of 23,000 sturgeon: http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070719/GPG0204/707190526/1233

07/19/07 By Kevin Naze Press-Gazette correspondent Viral hemorrhagic septicemia claimed thousands of valuable fish Monday, fish that were victims of association. The euthanization of almost 23,000 lake sturgeon at the Wild Rose State Fish Hatchery was the first time fish had to be killed in response to VHS.

VHS is not a human health threat but can kill a broad range of native fish. The virus is shed into the water by infected fish, where it can survive for 14 days and be absorbed by healthy fish. The virus can also be transmitted when fish eat infected fish.

Ironically, the sturgeon likely weren't exposed to the deadly virus. The decision to kill the fish was made by DNR staff in Madison because northern pike eggs from Lake Puckaway were brought into the hatchery before VHS was discovered in the Winnebago system. If those eggs had any hint of VHS, it's possible the virus was in the hatchery waters. Even though all test results from those fish have been negative for VHS, DNR fisheries supervisor Mike Staggs said the state tests only a representative sampling and does not want to take a chance of introducing the virus to new waters.

Other species from three hatcheries quarantined by the state's Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection two months ago * Wild Rose, Kettle Moraine Springs and Lake Mills * are to be stocked into Lake Michigan or the Lake Winnebago system, where VHS is present.

The sturgeon were a different story. Three strains were being raised, fish reared from brood stock spawned in the Yellow, Wisconsin and Menominee rivers. Though it was thought at least the Menominee River sturgeon could be stocked, opposition came from Michigan and federal officials who were concerned the fish might stray and could dilute the genetic pool of other unique populations.

Approximately 1,033 yearling Wisconsin River lake sturgeon averaging about 10 to 12 inches were killed, as were a pair of 2-year-old, white-coloration sturgeon that workers were hoping to save for live display when hatchery renovation is complete. Employees were told the rare fish could not even be saved for mounting by a taxidermist, and would have to be disposed of in a compost pile on site. About 3,537 Menominee River fingerlings, 4,929 from the Yellow River and 13,240 from the Wisconsin River were killed after being weighed for count estimates.

They were close to 2 inches long. Though they couldn't comment for the record, hatchery employees who worked closely with the sturgeon * and a Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection official on hand to monitor the effort * were frustrated that the sturgeon could not be utilized.

DNR hatchery crews used the chemical MS-222 mixed into water in a large container to kill the young sturgeon. Each tank was dip-netted individually, and the fish were deposited into the solution. Water was drained after gill movement stopped * within seconds for the young-of-the-year and within a minute for the yearlings * and fish were deposited into doubled-up garbage bags placed inside plastic totes, then transported to the compost pile.

Steve Fajfer, hatchery manager at Wild Rose, said it wasn't the first time fish were killed and composted. If there are more fish raised than quotas are allocated for, the surplus sometimes are destroyed. "Too many fish from a given year class isn't the best situation," Fajfer said. "But we've never had to destroy an entire year class of all the fish like this before. It's very hard on the staff here. They've put in a lot of hours raising the sturgeon. It's a very sad day for all of us." Fajfer said the food budget for sturgeon is $10,000, but said the labor is a lot more expensive. DNR staff in Madison are estimating costs per fish by species, but those numbers won't be available for some time, he said. Assistant hatchery supervisor Randy Larson said newly hatched sturgeon are started out on brine shrimp, and plankton when available. Later, bloodworms * shaved in a time-consuming process by hatchery workers so they're small enough for the 1- or 2-inch fish to eat * are introduced, followed by whole bloodworms, freshwater shrimp and earthworms as the fingerlings continue to grow. Fajfer said he expected the federal quarantine on Wild Rose to be lifted soon. Decisions on where and when to stock other species in the hatchery will be made soon.

It's likely northern pike destined for inland waters will be placed into Green Bay waters, Lake Michigan rivers and the Lake Winnebago system, he said. Brown trout being held for fall plants in Lake Michigan should go on as scheduled, as should spotted muskies for the Winnebago system and Fox River, Fajfer said. It's possible, he added, that browns being held for inland stocking might be released into Green Bay or Lake Michigan. After the sturgeon were composted, Fajfer gave a brief tour of the $16 million, first-phase renovation of the hatchery, which includes building trout and salmon-rearing facilities.

For safety reasons, the existing grounds are closed until late fall so construction can proceed on a visitor's center. Wild Rose hatchery produces 100 percent of the state's lake sturgeon and spotted muskies for stocking, about 64 percent of its northern pike and 27 percent of its trout and salmon.

POSTED: July 23, 2007

On behalf of Kelly Winningham and Mike Armstrong of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, I am attaching a new fish health regulation that will affect all live fish moving from the 8 Great Lakes States to Arkansas. This regulation is similar to the APHIS Amended Emergency order for VHS, however, it applies to all species, not just to those on the APHIS Susceptible list. In addition, this regulation requires that the fish be from farms that are conducting farm level inspections according to the OIE model, but without the requirement of a complete 2 year history. This regulation is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2007. It is an emergency order good for a maximum of 120 days. During that period, it is anticipated that the ARF Commission will be crafting a permanent rule.

Please help get the word out to fish haulers in your state that may ship to Arkansas, and to the labs and regulators that will be called upon to assist them. If you have questions, please contact Kelly Winningham of the ARF Commission.

Kelly R. Winningham
Fish Pathologist
Andrew Hulsey Fish Hatchery
350 Fish Hatchery Road
Hot Springs, AR 71913
PH (877)525-8606
Fax (501)525-2265
kwinningham@agfc.state.ar.us

POSTED: July 23, 2007

PIKETON, Ohio -- A newly emerging fish virus spreading among wild species is causing concerns in Ohio's farmed aquaculture industry, but testing fish farms for the disease can help contain it.

Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) is a highly contagious and deadly virus that has been spreading like wildfire in over three dozen wild fish species throughout the Great Lakes region for the past two years. The disease was first identified in Lake St. Clair in 2003.

Just last month, VHS virus was identified in inland waters in Michigan and Wisconsin. How far the disease has spread south remains unclear, but officials want to make sure it never finds its way to any fish farms in Ohio.

"VHS is a nasty disease that can do a number on fish, especially in a confined area," said Geoff Wallat, an Ohio State University aquaculturist with the South Centers at Piketon. "If that disease ever got onto a fish farm, it could be devastating. Fish farms in Europe infected with VHS have seen 80 percent to 90 percent losses."

Wallat, who holds a research appointment with the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, is serving on the Ohio Department of Agriculture's Fish Health Advisory Committee as a university aquaculture expert. He has been leading OSU Extension efforts to educate the public on what VHS is and the dangers of transporting live susceptible species from the Great Lakes within the state and out of state.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS), eight Great Lakes states are prohibited from transporting live VHS-susceptible species to other states, unless diagnostic testing for VHS has been performed on the fish shipment. Those affected states include: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Additionally, two Canadian provinces (Ontario and Quebec) are prohibited from importing VHS-susceptible species to the United States. Both prohibitions come with certain exceptions, such as catch and release activities, and movement to slaughter facilities and research and diagnostic labs.

Wallat said that the regulations were put in place to help protect the aquaculture industry, which uses many of the wild species susceptible to VHS virus for breeding stock ... ...

See source (http://www.agprofessional.com/show_story.php?id=47256) for full information.

POSTED: July 13, 2007

The Purpose of the Course To familiarize the participant with the fundamental principles of ornamental fish and aquatic invertebrates management and medicine.

This course is open to veterinarians and non-veterinarians alike.

The Goals of this Course To teach the principles and provide details on the following topics: water quality, recirculating aquatic systems, diagnostic techniques, environmental diseases, infectious diseases, neoplasia, therapeutics, anesthesia, and analgesia.

A surgery demonstration will also be part of the course.

More information and registration is available at: http://www.cvm.ncsu.edu/conted/fish

POSTED: July 12, 2007

A new fish health rule that will affect all live fish moving from the 8 Great Lakes States to Arkansas has been approved. This regulation is similar to the APHIS Amended Emergency order for VHS, however, it applies to all species, not just to those on the APHIS Susceptible species list.

In addition, this regulation requires that the fish be from farms that are conducting farm level inspections according to the OIE model, but without the requirement of a complete 2 year history.

This regulation is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2007. It is an emergency order good for a maximum of 120 days. During that period, it is anticipated that the ARGF Commission will be crafting a permanent rule.

Please help get the word out to individuals that may ship fish to Arkansas, and to the labs and regulators that will be called upon to assist them.

For further information contact:
Kelly R. Winningham
Andrew Hulsey Fish Hatchery
350 Fish Hatchery Road
Hot Springs, AR 71913
PH (877)525-8606
Fax (501)525-2265
kwinningham@agfc.state.ar.us

POSTED: July 12, 2007

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - As if Wisconsin anglers don't have enough to worry about with the bleeding fish virus.

Federal wildlife officials announced today they've discovered another fish virus - this one in the upper Mississippi River near La Crosse.

This one is called spring viremia of carp. It affects carp and maybe baitfish too. The virus poses no health risk to humans.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service says its biologists found the virus after investigating a large carp kill in May in the portion of river between Onalaska and Genoa.

US Fish and Wildlife says it's the first time the virus has been discovered in the upper Mississippi River.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources already is monitoring waters around the state for VHS, which causes fish to bleed to death. Some DNR experts fear that virus could impact the state's treasured game fish.

See http://www.startribune.com/531/story/1277118.html for a more extensive AP news item and http://www.fws.gov/midwest/News/Release07-68.html for a USFWS Press Release on the finding.

POSTED: July 11, 2007

Click here for the Michigan Sea Grant & Michigan Bait Dealers Assoication AIS-HACCP Training Workshop Form

POSTED: June 25, 2007

Attached is information we have pulled together to help our anglers and retail bait dealers to understand our Fish Disease Control Order. These items will go up on our internet site on Monday. We will have some additional items on Monday about implementation, certification and for our bait wholesalers.

Gary

Fish Disease Control Order - Angler Fact Sheet

Fish Disease Control Order - Retail Minnow Dealers Fact Sheet

Example VHS Bait Receipt - Wholesaler

Example VHS Bait Receipt - Retail

POSTED: June 25, 2007

A series of regulations designed to help slow the spread of fish diseases in Michigan, in particular Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS), will begin to be implemented on Thursday, June 28, according to Department of Natural Resources fisheries officials. The regulations provide a set of best management practices for anglers, boaters and the bait industry, and will be phased in over time.

"The DNR recognizes that these regulations are complex and will take time for our anglers, boaters and the supporting bait industry to fully understand them," said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries. "To fully involve our angling community, we intend to implement this order in a set of steps over the next few months."

The DNR will focus on educating the angling and boating communities and bait industry over the next two to three months - focusing on prevention and education efforts, not enforcement. The following steps that directly affect anglers and boaters will be initiated on June 28:

• Anglers and boaters should empty live wells and bilge water upon removing a boat from the water.
• Anglers are asked to start using bait only on a hook and to dispose of all bait when leaving a body of water. Anglers should keep in mind that the regulations only apply to the fish species listed in the Fish Disease Control Order, which is posted on the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing .
• Anglers should be sure to release fish that are from catch and release angling either in that water or in connected waters where fish could directly swim.
• Anglers are asked to start learning the Fish Disease Management Areas and where baitfish can be used. If the bait shop receipt indicates the management area where the bait is from, anglers are asked to start using the bait in the appropriate area.

The following steps will be initiated on June 28 with the wholesale and retail bait industry to start informing anglers where they can use bait and to start getting certified bait:

• Wholesale bait dealers are asked to start informing purchasers of whether their bait is certified disease-free or if it is not yet certified, and what Fish Disease Management Area it came from so the retail bait shops can start informing anglers.
• For bait species on the Prohibited Species List, retail bait shops are asked to start informing anglers whether the bait is certified or uncertified. If the bait is known to be uncertified and the Fish Disease Management Area where it was collected is known, bait shops are asked to inform anglers on where it can be used. Initially, it just needs to be noted on the receipt or attached to the receipt from the store. The full receipt will not be required initially.
• Licensed bait businesses that wish to certify their bait can start the certification process according to the instructions that will be posted on the DNR Web site (www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing) and sent in the U.S. Mail to all licensed bait businesses on June 25.
• Licensed bait businesses that have previously certified bait in stock can move ahead to have those supplies certified by sending the appropriate fish disease inspection information along with a request for certification to the Michigan DNR Fisheries Division, P.O. Box 30446, Lansing, MI 48909, Attention: Bait Certification.

"The DNR is not requesting that wholesalers or retail bait shops to dispose of the bait they currently have in their inventories. If they know where it came from, we ask them to simply start informing anglers of what Fish Disease Management Area it came from so anglers can start making informed decisions," said DNR Fisheries Division Chief Kelley Smith.

During the weeks of July 16 and 23, the DNR will be reviewing all applications for certifying facilities to hold baitfish listed in the order. After receiving needed information from wholesale and retail bait shops that wish to have baitfish certified in their facilities, the DNR will conduct necessary facility inspections or conduct telephone interviews to complete the certification review process. Once the application reviews are complete, the DNR will send out facility certification letters and will provide recommended fish disease certification strategies for each facility. As fish disease inspections results are submitted, the DNR will be issuing baitfish certifications for those lots that are tested and shown to be disease-free.

By Aug. 17, licensed wholesale bait businesses and retail bait shops are requested to start providing customers complete receipts that show all the needed information to inform anglers on where they can use their bait and to allow for the tracking of any fish disease problems in their bait supply. By this time, it is expected that certified disease-free bait should start being widely available for retail bait shops.

The DNR expects to fully implement the Fish Disease Control Order by Sept.15 and will be placing information on the DNR Fisheries Division Web site (www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing) to assist the public in understanding these regulations.

"These regulations will make a large difference as we work to slow the spread of fish disease and make our anglers, boaters and the bait in"

POSTED: June 19, 2007

June 13, 2007

Contacts: Gary Whelan 517-373-6948, Kelley Smith 517-373-3375, Todd Grischke 517-373-6762 or Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014

DNR Fishing Regulation Changes Reflect Disease Management Concerns with VHS

A series of fishing regulations signed by Department of Natural Resources Director Rebecca Humphries recently are designed to enlist anglers and the bait industry as allies to slow the spread of fish diseases, particularly Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS). The regulations go into effect on June 28.

"These regulations are critical to our efforts to slow the spread of VHS, along with other fish diseases, and we must have anglers and the bait industry as allies in this effort as the DNR cannot do this on our own," said Humphries.

The regulations are very similar to those presented to the Natural Resources Commission in May. Some modifications were made based on public input at that meeting, along with those of NRC members, which clarified some areas of the regulations. The key modifications were: baitfish and fish eggs (roe) can only be used on a hook, which does allow the use of spawn sacks; the locations where fish can be released by catch and release angling; both the Disease Management Areas and Prohibited Species List are now appendices to allow for simpler changes; the use of roe for human consumption without fish disease testing will be allowed; and the bait certification process has been improved and clarified.

"The approved regulations are designed to provide a set of best management practices for anglers and the bait industry and are consistent with those of other states and the Province of Ontario," said DNR Fisheries Chief Dr. Kelley Smith. "They are an education tool to make our anglers and the bait industry full partners in the fight against fish diseases, such as VHS."

The key highlights of the new regulations are:

• The regulations only apply to species on the Prohibited Species List. The key baitfish species for anglers are spottail shiners, emerald shiners, bluntnose minnows, white suckers, and Pacific herring (frozen for cut bait). The key species for fish eggs (roe) are Chinook salmon, coho salmon, brown trout and rainbow trout/steelhead.
• Bait includes live, dead, frozen and parts or cut bait including fish eggs (roe).
• Anglers will get a receipt from the bait shop which will tell them where they can use the bait and if is certified VHS-free, which can be used anywhere in the state.
• Receipts are valid 7 days.
• Uncertified bait from a bait shop or collected by anglers is restricted on where it can be used. Baitfish from VHS positive waters can only be used on VHS positive waters, VHS surveillance waters baitfish can be used in VHS surveillance or positive waters, and baitfish from VHS-free waters can be used anywhere in the state. The key for anglers is knowing the location of the Disease Management Areas, and that information will be available at the bait shops and on the DNR Web site.
• Bait and fish eggs can only be used on a hook if they are on the Prohibited Species List. The use of spawn sacks is acceptable. Anglers cannot release minnows when done fishing and must dispose of them when leaving the water. The release of many baitfish or large amounts of fish eggs by anglers that are potentially VHS-positive is an easy way to spread the virus, fisheries officials warned.
• When practicing catch and release fishing, you may only release a live fish back into water that the fish can freely swim into from the location it was caught. This applies to catch-and-immediate-release and catch-and-delayed-release (tournament) fishing. This will prevent the virus from being transported by live fish to new waters.
• All water must be emptied from live wells and bilges when leaving a body of water. This regulation applies to all boaters and will prevent the virus from being transported by infected water.

• There is a certification process that will allow dealers to provide disease-free bait for Michigan anglers. It is a two-stage process that includes both the holding facilities and the baitfish.
• It is not required that baitfish be certified. Certified baitfish can be used anywhere in the state and provides the most options for anglers. Uncertified bait is restricted to where it can be used.
• Both wholesale and retail minnow dealers must tell their customers on their receipts where the baitfish was taken, the lot or transaction code, and what disease management area it can be used.
• Receipts must be kept for one year.

  The DNR Fisheries Division is asking the retail and wholesale minnow dealers to help educate anglers on where they can use their bait and which species are of concern for spreading VHS. Information packets are in development to help with this task and the DNR Web site will have the most up-to-date information.

  "It is critical that anglers and the bait industry keep an eye on the DNR - Fisheries Division Web site (www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing) for changes to the Disease Management Areas and the Prohibited Species List," Smith said. "The order will be periodically updated with new information and the Web site will have the changes to the order that will be issued by the Director. We will make all new information available to the public through the news media as well."

  The importance of having angler and bait industry involvement in fish disease control is critical, fisheries officials said.

  "The DNR and other fisheries management agencies in the Great Lakes can implement all possible disease control measures, but without the anglers and bait industry as full partners in this effort, these measures will be in vain and fish diseases will rapidly spread to sensitive fish populations," said Gary Whelan, DNR fish production manager and chair of the Great Lakes Fish Health Committee.

  For more information on VHS and other fishing-related topics in Michigan, go to the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing.

  The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural resources for current and future generations.

  POSTED: June 19, 2007

  Yesterday, the Director signed Fisheries Order 245 entitled Fish Disease Control whicih will go into effect on June 28th. Over the next week we will develop all of the needed information for our anglers, retail bait dealers, wholesale bait dealers (both resident and non-resident) and dealers of frozen bait. Much of this information has been developed and is in review. We expect to send out packets to all bait dealers and wholesalers at the end of next week and will be adding completed items to our website during the week.

  The final order is attached.

  Gary

  Fish Disease Control Order

  POSTED: June 19, 2007

  NEWS RELEASE
  Canadian Food Inspection Agency
  Media relations: 613-228-6682

  Canada Conducts Surveillance for Fish Virus in Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Systems

  OTTAWA, June 7, 2007 - Canada's New Government is collaborating with the governments of Ontario and Quebec in monitoring Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) in the Canadian portions of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River systems.

  VHS is an infectious viral disease which can cause illness and death in fish, but has no adverse impact on human health. Up until 2005, the disease was believed to be absent from North American freshwater fish species. Recent detections in the Great Lakes have prompted Canada to undertake surveillance to develop a better understanding of the geographic occurrence of the virus and to identify those species which are being affected.

  The surveillance will provide the scientific basis for the development of joint VHS management strategies involving the federal and provincial governments and other interested parties. Elements of these strategies could include movement controls, public and stakeholder education, and biosecurity for the aquaculture industry.

  The surveillance program began in May 2007 with sample collection to be done by the provincial partners through the spring, summer and fall at approximately 20 different sites. Results of the surveillance will be publicly communicated at two points: following the collection and testing of samples in the spring/summer and following the collection and testing of samples in the fall.

  The principal partners in the survey are the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Quebec's Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune. The surveillance will be conducted in consultation with officials in the United States where a similar initiative is underway.

  For additional information about VHS, visit the CFIA website at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/aqua/aquae.shtml.

  POSTED: June 12, 2007

  
  From: whelang@michigan.gov
  Subject: Signed MI Fish Disease Control Order
  Date: June 11, 2007 11:51:34 AM GMT-04:00
  To: ******* Attached is the signed MI Fish Disease Control Order that was approved on June 7 and will go into effect on June 28. Gary

  Click here for Signed Fish Disease Control Document

  POSTED: June 12, 2007

  
  Tests find diseased crawfish [LA]
  The Associated Press, Times Picayune
  June 5, 2007

  LAFAYETTE, La. - "White spot" disease, which is not harmful to humans but can kill of crawfish, has been confirmed in commercial ponds across southwest Louisiana and in the Atchafalaya Basin.

  The disease was first detected last month at a crawfish farm near Arnaudville. More testing has confirmed the disease in 20 ponds in six parishes and in at least two samples of wild crawfish from the Basin, according to information from LSU Agricultural Center and the state Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

  State Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Bob Odom said the 20 positive results for commercial ponds were out of 29 tested, raising fears the disease is widespread ... ...

  For the full story see http://tinyurl.com/2f2fd3

  POSTED: June 12, 2007

  
  DNR finds fish virus in Lake Michigan
  Sport fish test positive, threatening industry
  By LEE BERGQUIST, Journal Sentinel
  May 24, 2007

  The Department of Natural Resources reported Thursday that two sport fish have tested positive for a fatal viral disease, and for the first time, the disease has been found in Lake Michigan.

  The DNR said that a smallmouth bass tested positive for viral hemorrhagic septicemia in Sturgeon Bay and a brown trout also tested positive in Lake Michigan near Algoma in Kewaunee County.

  In addition, the state's top fish biologist said that the department has picked up other suspect fish from Lake Michigan and expected more positive results in the big lake.

  The finding - though not unexpected - is more bad news for Wisconsin's sport fishery, valued by the DNR at $2.3 billion a year.

  Thousands of muskies, walleye, lake whitefish and other fish have died since 2005 in Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, according to the DNR.

  However, the virus poses no threat to humans.

  The discovery of the disease in Lake Michigan was expected because ... ... ...

  See source (http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=610579) for full information.

  POSTED: June 12, 2007

  
  Fish Virus Spreading in NY
  By William Kates
  Forbes
  May 22, 2007

  A deadly, fast-spreading aquatic virus is reaching epidemic proportions in New York's two Great Lakes and has already spread into the Finger Lakes region in upstate New York, a Cornell University fisheries expert said Tuesday.

  The viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus - or VHS - has now been identified in 19 species in Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, including muskellunge, New York's No. 2 sport fish, said Paul Bowser, a professor of aquatic animal medicine in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

  Equally alarming, said Bowser, is the confirmation of VHS in walleye in Conesus Lake, which is the westernmost Finger Lake and is the only New York lake where VHS has been confirmed in a body of water other than the contiguous waters of the Great Lakes.

  "The fact that VHS was found in this inland body of water is particularly disturbing in that it immediately brings up the question of how did it get there and what can be done to prevent the virus from moving to other bodies of water," said Bowser, who along with his colleagues at Cornell recently developed a new test that can identify the virus within 24 hours ... ... ...

  For the full story see http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/05/22/ap3748392.html

  POSTED: June 3, 2007

  May 21, 2007

  Please see the attached file for a copy of highlights from the last meeting of the National Aquaculture Drug Research Forum.

  Thanks to those who participated. Others with an interest to contribute to any of the referenced projects should contact Jim Bowker, Dave Straus or Renate Reimschuessel, co-chairs for the NADRF.

  These notes are also posted on the AADAP website. http://www.fws.gov/fisheries/aadap/

  Please share this information with others who may have an interest in this work.

  Regards,
  Gary Jensen and Kevin Greenlees, co-chairs JSA Working Group on
  Aquaculture Drugs, Biologics and Pesticides

  MEETING OF THE NATIONAL AQUACULTURE DRUG RESEARCH FORUM

  POSTED: June 3, 2007

  From: whelang@michigan.gov
  Subject: MI DNR Fish Disease Control Order
  Date: May 17, 2007 4:53:09 PM GMT-04:00
  To: *****
  Attached is a revised Fish Disease Control Order that will be before our Natural Resources Commission for action by the Director on June 7 with implementation on June 28, if the Director signs the order on June 7. It is also on our website. We made some technical changes to allow movement of wild fish to facilities for testing, dealt with the use of roe by anglers, clarified the certification process, and dealt with some catch and release issues.
  Gary

  Click here for updated Fish Disease Control

  POSTED: May 28, 2007

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 17, 2007

  CONTACT: Tammy Newcomb 517-373-3960, Gary Whelan 517-373-6948 or Richard Morscheck 517-373-9265

  Fish Disease Discovered in Budd Lake, Clare County

  Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials today confirmed the presence of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) in an inland lake in Michigan.

  Budd Lake, a 175-acre lake in central Clare County, experienced a very large die-off of fish beginning April 30 that included black crappie, bluegill and muskellunge. DNR biologists responded quickly to the lake to determine the cause of the die-off. Potential natural and human-induced causes for the die-off were evaluated.

  Fish collected from Budd Lake were taken to Michigan State University for testing. Because of the nature of the testing process for VHS, several weeks are required to obtain results. The DNR learned this week that the fish from Budd Lake were positive for VHS. Although the exact cause of the fish die-off is yet to be determined, this is the first time that the virus has been found in inland waters in Michigan.

  "We are disappointed that the disease has spread to Budd Lake, and clearly we are very concerned about protecting our inland waters from further spread of this virus," said DNR Fisheries Division Chief Kelley Smith.

  Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia is known to cause large-scale mortalities in fish populations over short periods of time. Infected fish may exhibit hemorrhaging in the skin including large red patches, small pin-point spots of minor external hemorrhaging or no external signs at all. Sick fish often will appear listless, swim in circles or hang just below the surface.

  VHS likely was introduced into the Great Lakes around 2002 via ships that entered the Great Lakes and discharged ballast water that contained the virus. The virus is now known to be distributed in Michigan’s waters of the Great Lakes from northern Lake Huron to Lake Erie.

  Widespread mortalities in muskellunge and gizzard shad in Michigan waters of Lake St. Clair were observed in 2006 along with significant mortalities of yellow perch, white bass, freshwater drum and round gobies in lakes Erie and Ontario.

  Internationally, VHS is a fish disease of concern and is a required reportable disease to the International Organization of Animal Health. In October 2006, the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service imposed interstate and international restrictions on the movement of fish to prevent the spread of VHS in the U.S.

  As a result of this finding in Budd Lake, the DNR is modifying regulations proposed in the Fish Disease Control Order that was presented for information to the Natural Resources Commission May 10.

  The Fish Disease Control Order identifies restrictions on the use of baitfish and fish eggs for different disease management areas. These regulations are necessary to protect the aquatic resources of the state, minimize the spread of disease to uninfected waters and protect the DNR’s hatchery system.

  "It is unfortunate that we have to take the steps required under the order, but those steps are similar to what other Great Lakes States and the Province of Ontario are enacting in an attempt to slow the spread of VHS in the Great Lakes Basin," Smith said. "The order, however, will not prevent anglers from fishing as usual anywhere in the state this summer."

  Major changes to the order include an expanded certification process for facilities that maintain baitfish or other live fish that are known to be susceptible to VHS, as well as additional restrictions on the use of baitfish or eggs by anglers when fishing.

  DNR Director Rebecca Humphries is expected to take action on the order at the June 7 meeting of the Natural Resources Commission. The order can be reviewed online at www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing.

  POSTED: May 28, 2007

  DATE: May 12, 2007

  CONTACT: Mike Staggs, Fisheries Director, (608)220-2609 George Boronow, Regional Fisheries Coordinator, (920)662-5426

  SUBJECT: Fish likely infected with deadly virus found in Little Lake Butte des Morts; Menasha Lock closed; Public asked to take steps to stop the spread

  MADISON - The Department of Natural Resources announced Saturday that two fish from Little Lake Butte des Morts in the Lake Winnebago chain of lakes have preliminarily tested positive for the deadly fish virus called viral hemorrhagic septicemia or (VHS). Additional dead fish samples taken from Lake Winnebago, itself, appear to have the virus.

  Click here for entire Wisconsin DNR News Release

  POSTED: May 22, 2007

  From: Gary Whelan
  Subject: PSA on VHS
  Date: May 22, 2007 4:57:39 PM GMT-04:00
  To: ****

  FYI

  Kelley Smith 05/22/2007 4:05:16 PM
  I would like to let all of you know that we have been working with Central Michigan University on a Public Service Announcement related to VHS and what anglers can do to help. That PSA is now being aired on Public Television and we are pushing it out to commercial stations as well.

  We have also put the PSA on our web site (www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing) - click on the link to "Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS)". Please pass the word on to others that this is available on our site. Thanks much and let me know if you have any questions.

  POSTED: May 22, 2007

  The Department of Natural Resources intends to step up the hunt in other Wisconsin lakes for a deadly fish virus discovered in the Lake Winnebago system.

  Lakes in the Madison and Lake Geneva areas are likely targets, in addition to heightened surveillance already begun on Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River, said Mike Staggs, director of the DNR's Bureau of Fisheries Management and Habitat Protection. http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=605216

  POSTED: May 08, 2007

  From: whelang@michigan.gov
  Subject: MI Fish Disease Control Order
  Date: May 8, 2007 4:13:02 PM GMT-04:00
  To: ******
  Cc: ******

  Attached is a slightly revised version of MI's Fish Disease Control Order that will be posted on our website today. Please discard the earlier version.

  Gary

  Click here for entire Fish Disease Control

  POSTED: May 07, 2007

  Hello Aquatic Animal Health Stakeholders,

  On May 4, 2007, USDA APHIS amended the Federal Order on Viral hemorrhagic septicemia to address catch-and-release fishing activities.

  Catch and release fishing activities involving VHS susceptible fish are now permissible under the Federal Order . Catch and release fishing activities are defined as: fishing for pleasure or recreational purposes, including tournaments, organized fishing competitions, fishing derbies, or other types of contests where individuals catch, compare and release live VHS-susceptible fish, except any VHS-susceptible fish used or intended to be used as live bait.

  The Order can be viewed at: VHS Amended Federal Order

  The news release can be viewed at: VHS Amended Federal Order News Release

  USDA APHIS appreciates all of those partners assisting in addressing this emerging pathogen. Please forward this message to any and all interested individuals.

  Thank you,

  Gary

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  P. Gary Egrie, VMD
  Veterinary Medical Officer, Aquaculture Specialist
  United States Department of Agriculture
  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
  4700 River Road, Unit 46
  Riverdale, MD 20737

  POSTED: April 11, 2007

  From: Staggs, Mike D - DNR
  Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2007 4:07 PM
  To: DNR DL WD FH Fish Brd; DNR DL WD FH CO; DNR DL WD FH Region
  Subject: NRB Emergency Action On VHS Rules
  Importance: High

  The Natural Resources Board today unanimously approved emergency rules to help control the spread of Viral Hemorraghic Septecimia in Wisconsin's fisheries. While the regulations themselves are an important part of this effort, the primary message here is that all anglers and boaters need to take personal responsibility for not spreading this virus (and other invasive species) by:

  NEVER moving live fish or fish eggs (including bait) to other waters

  ALWAYS draining all water from their boats after use

  ALWAYS obtaining bait minnows from approved sources (WI bait dealers or harvest yourself in the water you'll be fishing)

  Details of the rule (including where the above legally apply) and a lot of background material can be found in the green sheet package: Natural Resources Board Agenda Item

  The rule will likely go into effect on Saturday, April 7th.

  A public information fact sheet has been developed: WI VHS Fact Sheet

  Please look for a press release with more detail later today. We'll also be developing additional public information materials and asking for help in identifying affected tributaries and potentially posting boat landings over the next few weeks.

  And we will post information as it becomes available on our VHS webpage: http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/pages/vhs.html

  Please do not hesitate to reinforce the main message here that these practices are a good idea at all times and for all WI waters. If you get specific questions about the rule that you can't answer, please check with your regional fisheries supervisor, Steve Hewett, Bill Horns, Sue Marcquenski or I.

  Michael D. Staggs
  Bureau of Fisheries Management
  PO Box 7921, 101 S. Webster
  Madison, WI 53707-7921
  (608) 267-0796
  (608) 266-2244 (FAX)
  mike.staggs@wisconsin.gov

  POSTED: April 10, 2007

  Hi Folks,

  Further to our conversation on VHS...

  Please see attached copy of sticker that was produced for anglers to raise awareness of VHS and bait use in Ontario. As well public factsheet produced by ON MNR. If folks are developing psas etc on this issue, it would be very helpful if you could pass on info and contacts for these activities etc.

  I've also attached provincial response as of last week to VHS with respect to commerical harvest/movement of bait, wild spawn collections, stocking etc.

  Francine

  Protect Ontario Waters Poster

  Ontario VHS Fact Sheet

  Ontario Fish Culture Technical Bulletin

  Ontario Protocol Control of VHS

  POSTED: April 08, 2007

  From: whelang@michigan.gov
  Subject: MI DNR Coolwater Fish Production Moratorium Briefing Paper
  Date: April 3, 2007 11:27:11 AM GMT-04:00
  To: ********

  Attached is our briefing paper on our moratorium concerning coolwater fish production this year which was done in response to VHSv in our waters.

  If you have questions, let me know.

  Gary

  2007 Coolwater Production Briefing Paper

  POSTED: April 08, 2007

  Fish Disease Halts Walleye, Pike and Muskellunge Production and Stocking
  Contact: Kelley Smith or Gary Whelan 517-373-3375 or 517-373-6948
  Agency: Natural Resources

  April 3, 2007 The rapidly increasing distribution of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia virus (VHSv) in Michigan waters is forcing the Department of Natural Resources to place a one-year moratorium on walleye, northern pike, and muskellunge production and stocking ensure the disease is not inadvertently spread by DNR activities, and to protect the state's fish hatchery system.

  "All of the DNR's egg sources for walleye and one key source for northern pike are from Great Lakes waters that are, or are highly likely to be, infected with VHSv," said Kelley Smith, chief of the DNR Fisheries Division. "Muskellunge egg sources, as well as two other sources for northern pike are located in very high risk waters, based on our understanding of the movement of bait fish around the state, as well as the amount of recreational and angler boat traffic between those waters and the Great Lakes."

  Smith said that currently it is not known whether eggs from these species of fish can be disinfected, adding that disease testing takes four to eight weeks, thus making it impossible to determine which egg sources are infected before moving the eggs into state hatcheries.

  VHSv has already caused widespread fish mortalities in Lakes St. Clair, Erie and Ontario, and is an international reportable disease. In late 2006, the DNR determined it had spread into Lake Huron, as far north as Cheboygan and Rogers City. The disease entered Michigan waters from the Maritime Region of Canada, likely in the discharge of infected ballast water from cargo ships that took up ballast water in previously infected waters. The virus does not affect humans in any way.

  "If VHSv would inadvertently infect a state fish hatchery, all of the fish at that facility would have to be destroyed and the hatcheries completely disinfected. The economic loss to our state would be between $40 and $60 million," Smith said. "Since we only rear coolwater fish at Thompson and Wolf Lake State Fish Hatcheries, incubating potentially infected walleye, muskellunge and northern pike eggs at these two facilities would put at risk all of the state's production of steelhead, 40 percent of the Chinook salmon and a number of other species."

  Prior to making the decision to place a moratorium on the production of these species, the DNR examined a range of options. They included:

  • Developing isolation areas within existing hatcheries - it was determined that this cannot be done without substantial risk to other fish species in the hatcheries.
  • Undertaking off-site rearing at other DNR facilities - this was rejected because sufficient water of the proper quality and temperature was not available and appropriate effluent treatment could not be done.
  • Undertaking off-site rearing at other cooperator facilities -the DNR determined that the liability risk is too great, since contaminating a non-DNR facility with VHSv would result in substantial costs for the DNR to disinfect and clean up of the facility.
  • Obtaining fish from other agencies - this concept was investigated, but genetically compatible sources of walleye and northern pike are not available in the Great Lakes region. However, this may be an option for muskellunge, and is being pursued by the DNR.
  • Obtaining eggs from other inland sources in Michigan - this option is not feasible because insufficient numbers of fish are available to meet the state's egg-take needs, and the potential sources of eggs are at high risk of VHSv infection.

  The DNR is taking the following steps to ensure that walleye, northern pike, and muskellunge production can resume in the future:

  • Experiments will be conducted this spring on eggs collected from walleye and muskellunge populations in Lakes Erie and St. Clair that are likely infected with VHSv to determine if standard iodine disinfection techniques will work for coolwater fish. If the experiments demonstrate that the standard techniques are effective, then normal coolwater fish production will resume in 2008.
  • Extensive VHSv surveillance and monitoring of current coolwater broodstock populations will be conducted to allow the DNR to determine the prevalence and intensity of infection in each broodstock population. These efforts should help to identify potential broodstock sources and rearing locations for the future.
  • Determine other potential out-of-state sources for coolwater fish for future rearing options.
  • Develop additional backup options to incubate and rear coolwater fish outside of the state's hatchery system, including the development of fully contained mobile incubation and rearing facilities and the potential use of other off-site incubation and rearing facilities. The cost of additional mobile incubation facilities is approximately $22,500 per one million walleye fry.

  "Implementation of these measures will require a substantial commitment of effort and dollars, at a cost that will greatly exceed what would be expended for coolwater fish rearing under normal circumstances," Smith said. "There are no new dollars for such efforts, so we are reprioritizing our existing work plans and budget to ensure the work is accomplished prior to the 2008 coolwater fish production season. We have, however, requested emergency funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, but we do not yet know if and when these funds might be available to help us meet the threat posed by VHSv in the Great Lakes."

  POSTED: April 07, 2007

  VHS Biosecurity and Scientific Update Workshop

  Good afternoon,

  You are invited to attend a Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (VHS) Biosecurity and Scientific Update Workshop to be held in Guelph, Ontario on May 29th and 30th, 2007. This workshop is being organized by the Aquatic Animal Health Division of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) along with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR). The purpose of this workshop is to provide the latest research and science information on VHS, and to discuss biosecurity issues with regard to minimizing the spread of VHS within and outside of the Great Lakes basin. Invitees to the workshop will include provincial and federal governments and potentially affected stakeholder groups.

  The draft agenda for the workshop is attached. Additional information regarding the specific location and other workshop details will be sent to you as it becomes available.

  If you plan to attend this workshop, could you please respond to me by the end of Friday April 13th.

  Rod Penney, M.Aq. Aquatic Animal Health Program Officer
  Disease Control Section
  Aquatic Animal Health Division
  Canadian Food Inspection Agency
  1341 Baseline Road
  Tower 7, Room 5116
  Ottawa, ON K1A 0C5
  (613) 694-3062
  (613) 694-3030 (Fax)
  VHS Biosecurity Workshop

  POSTED: April 07, 2007

  ONTARIO FISHING IMPERILED BY NEW VIRUS
  LUCIAN A. McCARTY, Contributing Writer

  The fishing industry in Upstate New York is in serious jeopardy because of a newly discovered virus that has made its way into the water systems.

  The size and scope of the Lake Ontario fishing industry is largely undetermined, but it is thought to be a multi-million dollar industry. "We can put a $170,000 figure on one processing plant, but the bait fish industry in New York State is huge," said Dave MacNeill, fishery expert for New York State Sea Grant.

  Regulations that have been placed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the federal government have all but ended commercial bait fishing in New York State. Much remains unknown about the Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) virus, particularly about the strain that has spread through New York's waters, but there are a few things that scientists do know: The virus does not affect people, it has caused the deaths of thousands of fish, sometimes in large numbers, and there is no known cure.

  The emergency regulations that were enacted in November are set to expire on Friday, but a new set of emergency regulations is being drafted which takes into account the public comments that the DEC received. Compared to the current regulations, the new emergency protocol will be "similar in the goal that is trying to be reached," said DEC Assistant Commissioner of Media Relations Maureen Wren. She said the comments that the DEC received were helpful and that the DEC is working to incorporate them into the new regulations. "We did receive a lot of support of the action taken to prevent New York State waters that have not been affected by VHS."

  In addition to the revised emergency regulations that will be implemented March 9, when the first regulations expire, permanent regulations will also be proposed, which will be open to public comment. The federal regulations were established by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), a department of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

  The particular strain that is in Lake Ontario is actually a new strain, called VHSV IVb, the properties of which are unknown to the scientists who are studying it. How the virus is contracted, how the virus got into the lake and how best to contain VHS now that it is in Lake Ontario are all issues that the scientific community is scrambling to establish. "A lot of the answers to these questions we just don't know," said Paul Bowser, a professor of Aquatic Animal Medicine at Cornell University. "This is a virus which does have the ability to go through mutations."

  "In the old days we used to think that VHS was a very serious disease of rainbow trout in European salt waters," said Bowers. To date, no infected trout have been discovered in Lake Ontario. ... ... ...

  Click here for entire full story

  POSTED: March 27, 2007

  
  From: john campbell
  To: ******
  Sent: Monday, March 26, 2007 2:19 PM
  Subject: VHSV bans - Please, make your voice heard on my behalf

  Please, make your voice heard on my behalf. Please, note my objection with respect to the current bans on capture, transportation and sale of minnows in the viral hemorragic septicemia virus (VHSV) infected zone. Capture, transportation and sale of minnows SHOULD be allowed within the infected zone.

  These bans do little if anything to stem the spread of the disease, if in fact this virus can be slowed or stopped. With the recent findings that the virus has already spread to Lake Huron, just 20 miles from Lake Michigan and I read recently it was also found in Lake Michigan. It can be assumed that Lake Superior is infected now, or will be in the near future, with no help from man or his activities (unless that activity is the release of ballast water). Fish by nature are migratory and will spread the disease in this process. Of course there is always the prospect and likelihood that a freighter's ballast water has already infected Lake Superior with VHSV.

  At this point in time these bans are nothing more that a bandaid on a tumor. They give the appearance that something is being done, while in actuality, these bans do little if anything to help our situation with respect to further infection of the virus. The bans do place undo hardship on many bait businesses and their families within the infected areas. These hardships can be translated into lost jobs, less food on the table, loss of university or college tuition, loss of extracurricular activities and/or the loss of something as basic as paying the mortgage or rent. Most people effected by the bans would endure this situation and be proud to say they had done their part, if this scourge could be eradicated from the Great Lakes. This will not be the case. The scourge known as viral hemorragic septicemia virus (VHSV) is here to stay. The bait industry is being targeted and being asked to pay the price for the negligence of our government's failure to act sooner and place restrictions on the shipping industry with respect to the release of ALL ballast water into the Great Lakes.

  It is believed viral hemorragic septicemia virus (VHSV) and other invasive species (eg. round goby, ruffe, zebra mussels, spiny water flea etc.) have entered the Great Lakes watershed through the ballast water of ocean vessels using the system. The ballast water of these ships is where our control efforts should be concentrated or we will be forever trying to contain an invasive species which could have been eliminated before it entered our precious Great Lakes system.

  We must demand the sterilization of ALL ballast water, without COMPROMISE or EXCEPTION, of ALL ships entering the Great Lakes. Furthermore, the sterilization SHOULD NOT be self monitoring, but carried out by an independent body of non- monetary stakeholders, to ensure no conflict of interest. Failure to do so will see our Great Lakes ecosystem, as we know it, irreversably changed and the damage irrepairable. There has already been damage and changes are already evident. There is no immediate remedy for the damages and changes that are eroding our ecosystem. We can however, stop future invasive species from entering our Great Lakes in this manner. The expense of sterilization may be large or small and should be passed on to the shipping industry, but whatever the price our inaction will cost us all more dearly in the future. The proof of that statement is now being felt by the bait industry and the impact can be seen by the numbers of dead fish on our shorelines and the restrictions being placed on the Great Lakes community. Not to mention, the monetary costs associated with the these invasions into the Great Lakes, that every Canadian citizen in the Great Lakes cummunity and beyond, is being asked to pay.

  What is happening now to the bait industry is only a snapshot of the larger picture. The invasions of these foreign species into the Great Lakes has and will continue to carry a monetary price tag. A price tag that has and will continue to be paid by every Canadian citizen living in the Great Lakes area and beyond. There is no bill sent to our homes saying "for clean up of zebra mussels' or "for monitoring of the spiny water flea" or "clean up of fish kill from VHSV' etc., but these costs are real and we are all paying. Every new invasion carries with it a large hidden monetary price tag that citizens knowingly or uwittingly have been paying and will have to continue to pay for in the future.

  I speak for many when I say, as a Canadian citizen and a sportsman, I abhor the fact that our government has knowingly allowed these invasions to continue. The time for discussion has long passed, positive remedial efforts must be taken immediately to stop other invasive species from entering the Great Lakes system in this manner.

  I thank you for your time and your interest.

  Respectfully,

  John Campbell,

  Windsor, ON

  Site of Interest:

  http://www.micharterboats.com/members/index.html

  http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/Viral-Hemorrhagic-Septicemia-Fact-Sheet-11-9-2006_178081_7.pdf

  http://www.vet.cornell.edu/Public/FishDisease/AquaticProg/highlights/VHSV/VHSV%20NYS%20Public.htm

  http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/fish/vhsv.html

  POSTED: March 19, 2007

  VHS Message and Newsletter from BHC

  Ontario Baitfish Update.......Mar.17, 2007

  Stand by folks.....we had meetings this past week with our Federal MP Hon. Bev Shipley, a lengthy phone conersation with our MPP Hon. Maria VanBommel, a long meeting yesterday with the Hon. Sandra Pupatello MPP Windsor West Minister of Economic Development, and Trade Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues ........and a meeting is scheduled for early this week with the Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Jim Bradley MPP St.Catherines....

  ...there’s some important info coming down the pipe, we hope, very shortly.

  Please be aware that we do not disagree with the briefing paper that was recently delivered by the province’s partner in all this, Michigan DNR, to all stakeholders and affected government agencies, including those in Ontario, both Federal and provincial.....and we understand fully the seriousness of the VHS issue and fully support their initiative to curtail the spread of this pathogen into uninfected waters.

  We also fully understand that there is NO CURE for VHS once it enters a body of water.

  We fully understand that any legislative decision should be based on up-to-date science and not a knee jerk reaction.

  We also fully understand that this is an alleged ballast water issue that the bait and sportfishing industry is solely being held accountable for, and as such, is seriously jeopardizing the livleyhoods AND way of life of a large number of people on both sides of this immediate border, not to mention the impact on the Tourism, Fishing Tackle and Marine Trade Industries plus Government Tax coffers.

  We fully understand that there is absolutely NO RISK TO HUMANS from VHS.

  We also fully understand that VHS has been documented in the present "INFECTED ZONE" since 2003 and new evidence may suggest possibly as far back as 1988.

  We fully understand that VHS has now been documented within 20 miles of the Straits of Mackinaw in 2005 and is also currently being investigated as the possible cause of a major fish die off in Lower Lake Michigan earlier this year..

  Here is a link to that briefing paper.....click or cut and paste it into your browser......
  http://www.savethebaitbusiness.com/documents/VHS.FactSheet20070226.pdf

  Here is the parent link that also contains a lot of up to date info.......
  http://www.savethebaitbusiness.com

  In the meantime we are asking everyone to contact their MP and MPP ...or their State Representative or Congressman... and ask them to back a solution that would allow bait to be CAUGHT WITHIN THE INFECTED ZONE, transported, sold and contained for use ONLY WITHIN THE INFECTED ZONE, HOWEVER WAY THAT ZONE IS DEFINED.

  Every gov’t official we have spoken to has agreed, "off the record", that the scientific evidence says this is the correct solution, but the problem is that MP’s, MPP’s within the infected and buffer zones are not hearing from anyone other than the bait dealers and they have told us that THEY NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU ON THIS ISSUE.

  NY State is already modifying their legislation, effective Mar.15, to suit their specific need, using the available scientific evidence.

  The infected zone CANNOT GET ANY MORE INFECTED THAN IT ALREADY IS and there is NO CURE, so the common sense solution would be to allow bait to be caught, transported, sold and contained for use WITHIN THE INFECTED ZONE.

  As per the International Joint Commission, the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission, the Great Lakes Fisheries Council, USDA(APHIS), Ag Canada(FIA), DFO, Michigan DNR and Ontario MNR it is acknowledged that once a body of water is infected it will stay infected because THERE IS NO CURE.

  It is our opinion that Provincial and Federal officials appear to be utilizing USDA/Michigan DNR/Penn DNR/NY DNR etc. data such as test results and DNA sampling to generate legislation, as there has been apparently no known testing by Canadian Laboratories to this point.

  Time is of the essence so please make the calls on Monday of next week. We need you to get your elected officials involved.

  COMMON SENSE SOLUTION-----allow bait to be caught WITHIN THE INFECTED ZONE, transported, sold and contained for use ONLY WITHIN THE INFECTED ZONE, HOWEVER WAY THAT ZONE IS DEFINED.

  Below are the telephone listings of our local representatives offices.........if you are from outside this area please refer to the BLUE pages in your telephone book under Members of Parliament........if you are from the USA and vacation in this area please take a minute and make a call.......if you are from the States of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York or Maine please call your State Representative and Congressman.

  Federal Government....
  Dave Van Kesteren MP Essex ChathamKent
  Chatham-519-358-7555
  Leamington-519-326-9655

  Bev Shipley MP Lambton-Kent-Middlesex
  Wallaceburg-519-627-4899
  1-800-585-2640

  Provincial Government....
  Pat Hoy MPP Chatham-Kent-Essex
  519-351-0510
  1-800-265-3992

  Maria Van Bommel MPP Lambton-Kent-Middlesex
  1-800-265-3916

  Thank You for your assitance.
  If you have any questions please feel free to drop me an e-mail dennis@basshavencanada.com

  Tight Lines,
  Dennis

  POSTED: March 18, 2007

  From: Paul.G.Egrie@aphis.usda.gov
  Date: March 9, 2007 3:31:16 PM GMT-05:00
  To: ********
  Subject: VHS confirmatory testing
  

  Hello All,

  Please feel free to forward this email to any U.S. laboratory conducting testing for VHS.

  As APHIS moves forward with the development of the VHS interim rule, as well as other APHIS program diseases, and recognizing the need to confirm the information APHIS uses to take regulatory actions, APHIS will be using the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa for the following functions.

  The primary role for NVSL in support of APHIS regulations regarding VHS is, but not limited, to confirm:

  • isolates from species newly identified as susceptible to VHS; and
  • isolates from areas, states or geographic regions not previously known to be positive for VHS; and
  • isolates of VHS that are genetically distinct from other known isolates; and
  • any isolate from an aquaculture facility that might result in Federal regulatory actions; and
  • any other activities APHIS NVSL, in conjunction with Veterinary Services, find appropriate.

  The contact to send such isolates is:

  Janet Warg Diagnostic Virology Laboratory
  National Veterinary Services Laboratory
  515-663-7551
  Janet.V.Warg@aphis.usda.gov
  

  POSTED: March 18, 2007

  DEC ADOPTS REVISED EMERGENCY REGULATIONS TO HELP PREVENT SPREAD OF VHS TO ADDITIONAL NEW YORK STATE WATERS

  The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the adoption of new emergency regulations to help prevent the spread of the Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) virus to additional waters in the State. The new emergency regulations, which were filed with the Department of State and took effect on Friday, March 9, 2007, replace previously enacted emergency regulations and reflect some changes incorporated as a result of public comments on the limits of the possession, sale, transfer, taking and release of certain baitfish and other live fish species to be placed in New York waters. VHS is a pathogen of fish and does not pose any threat to public health.

  Click here for the entire NY-DEC Revised VHS Emergency Regulations

  POSTED: February 27, 2007

  From: whelang@michigan.gov
  Subject: Latest MI DNR VHS Fact Sheet Update
  Date: February 27, 2007 1:30:42 PM GMT-05:00
  To: ******
  Cc: ******
  

  Attached is the latest version of our fact sheet that has a couple of updates and improvements.

  Gary

  Click here for the latest MI DNR VHS Briefing Document

  POSTED: February 21, 2007

  From: whelang@michigan.gov
  Subject: December VHS Samples
  Date: February 21, 2007 3:30:47 PM GMT-05:00
  To: ****
  

  We received all of the December sampling data back from the lab and the following is a summary of the results.

  The walleye from the Tittabawassee River were all negative for VHS (n=60 so the sampled population is likely negative). The limited walleye sample from the Muskegon River/Lake was negative for VHS (n=14 so this location has an unknown status because the sample size was low). Please keep in mind that the status of these broodstock populations are not known at this time as we do not know if we sampled the spawning populations.

  Minnow samples from Lexington (emerald shiners n=60), Port Sanilac (spottail and emerald shiners n=60 for each), Harbor Beach (emerald shiners n=60), Caseville (spottail and emerald shiners n=60 for each), Kawkawlin (emerald shiners n=60), Tawas (emerald shiners n=60), Monroe (emerald shiners n=60), Wyandotte (emerald shiners n=60), and Port Huron (emerald shiners n=60) were all negative for VHS which means that the sampled population was likely negative or undetectable for VHS.

  Minnow samples for Lake St. Clair (emerald and spottail shiners n=60 for each) were positive and some from both species were clinically infected. This means the sampled population was likely positive for the disease. We will doing the required reporting for spottail shiners as this is the first report in this species.

  This leaves us with a very mixed picture on the distribution of VHS from Lake Huron to Lake Erie and will complicate our management decisions.

  Gary

  POSTED: February 19, 2007

  Report Shows Fishing's Mainstream Appeal and Broad Economic Impacts
  by Janet Tennyson

  It may come as a surprise to find that one of the most solid industries in the United States is probably one you'd never think of-the sportfishing industry. According to a new report on fishing statistics published by the American Sportfishing Association, angling has anchored a solid position among Americans' favorite forms of recreation.

  Sportfishing in America: Values of Our Traditional Pastime shows how fishing endures as a strong and mainstream activity that not only permeates social and economic aspects of Americans' lives, but also plays a huge role in the country's successful conservation movement. "Fishing brings so many benefits to our way of life'" said Mike Nussman, president and CEO of the American Sportfishing Association, "but not until a report like this is produced do we realize how all-encompassing fishing's reach is, both in its effect on our social lives and its impact on the economy."

  America's 44 million anglers spend nearly $42 billion per year on fishing equipment, transportation and lodging, and other expenses associated with their sport. Their expenditures increased 33 percent over the past 10 years. With a total annual economic impact of $116 billion on the economy, fishing supports 1.1 million jobs and generates $30 billion in wages and $7.3 billion in tax revenues each year.

  **THIS IS A MUST READ** Click here for Janet Tennyson’s entire article

  **THIS IS A MUST READ** Click here for the full article on the Sportfishing in America

  POSTED: February 19, 2007

  From: whelang@michigan.gov
  Subject: NRC VHS Presentation
  Date: February 13, 2007 12:52:36 PM GMT-05:00
  To: ************
  

  Attached is my most recent VHS Presentation that I gave to our Natural Resources Commission on 2/8. A few of you were interested in receiving it so I figured I could just as easily send it out. Gary

  Click here for VHS Presentation

  POSTED: February 11, 2007

  From: jjbaird@ligtel.com
  Subject: Bait industry related news in Maine.
  Date: February 9, 2007 11:33:47 AM GMT-05:00
  To: vhs@savethebaitbusiness.com
  

  The folllowing is not VHS related but I thought it might be of interest. It came off of an ice fishing web site known as Iceshanty.com.

  Sincerely,

  Cecil Baird - IAAI president

  Ice Anglers, anglers, and Bait Dealers Beware: Proposed anti-live bait legislation could ban use of live bait forever

  Recent legislation submitted by two Maine legislator's and sponsored by Trout Unlimited, the Dud Dean Angling Society, and the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine could prohibit fishermen from angling with live bait in numerous Maine lakes and ponds. If passed into law, these bills will also set limits to what minnow species can be used in fishing, plus eliminate four minnow species now sold by Maine bait dealers.

  The two Maine state representatives are Thomas Watson (D-Bath) and Theodore Kauffman (D-Bar Harbor). Watson and Kauffman are TU members.

  Click here for entire article

  POSTED: February 1, 2007

  APHIS has posted ALL of the comments from the VHS public meetings held in January. You can view the comments at the links shown below. I strongly encourage you to read the comments from the meeting held in Michigan.

  Colorado Public Meeting

  Michigan Public Meeting

  Tennessee Public Meeting

  Pennsylvania Public Meeting

  POSTED: February 3, 2007

  From: whelang@michigan.gov
  Subject: MI DNR VHS Briefing Document
  Date: February 2, 2007 12:39:36 PM GMT-05:00
  To: *******************

  Okay, the last version I sent out earlier today to some of you had a couple of minors errors as haste makes waste sometimes. The attached version is improved.

  So toss the previous one and use this one.

  Gary

  Click here for the latest MI DNR VHS Briefing Document

  POSTED: February 3, 2007

  TEMPORARY BAN ON LIVE FISH TRANSPORT FROM ERIE WATERSHED ISSUED COMMISSION TO CONSIDER IMPLEMENTING PERMANENT REGULATIONS

  The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has placed a temporary ban on the transportation of live fish from Lake Erie and its tributary waters inland.

  PFBC Executive Director Doug Austen signed an order this morning making it unlawful to transport or cause the transport of live fish out of the Pennsylvania portion of the Lake Erie watershed. Waters included in the Pennsylvania portion of the Lake Erie watershed are Twentymile Creek, Orchard Beach Run, Sixteenmile Creek, Twelvemile Creek, Eightmile Creek, Sevenmile Creek, Sixmile Creek, Fourmile Creek, Mill Creek, Cascade Creek, Walnut Creek, Trout Run, Godfrey Run, Elk Creek, Crooked Creek, Raccoon Creek, Turkey Creek, Conneaut Creek, Ashtabula Creek and their tributaries. The Executive Director has found that this action is necessary and appropriate for the protection, preservation and management of fish. The intent of the ban is to help reduce the potential spread of exotic fish species and fish diseases found in the Great Lakes to the state’s inland waters.

  The temporary ban goes into effect immediately and will remain in place until January 1, 2008. The Commission, under a separate notice of proposed rulemaking, will seek public comments on a permanent change to the Commission’s fishing regulations. A vote on adopting a permanent regulation is expected later this year.

  POSTED: February 1, 2007

  APHIS has posted the comments from the VHS public meetings held in January. You can view the comments at the links shown below. I strongly encourage you to read the comments from the meeting held in Michigan.

  Colorado Public Meeting

  Michigan Public Meeting

  Tennessee Public Meeting

  Pennsylvania Public Meeting

  POSTED: January 28, 2007

  From: whelang@michigan.gov
  Subject: Re: Baitfish Testing Guidance
  Date: January 21, 2007 2:13:17 PM GMT-05:00
  To: ben@********
  Cc: ********
  Ben,
  

  Right now, this is a guidance document and we are working on a full rule package that will be shared with all prior to bringing it through the formal process. The intent of the statement in question is that anyone who follows this guidance will be able to sell their minnows, currently in storage, anywhere in the state without any limits at this time. Is that clear enough or does more need to be added?

  We wanted to provide a mechanism where tested fish could be moved anywhere in the state without limit. This should allow fish in storage to be sold and allow commerce to get moving. The much harder step will be what to do with wild fish this spring. This guidance is essentially the same that the out-of-state wholesalers are working under and that is being followed to allow fish to come into the state.

  Hope this helps,
  

  Gary
  

  Gary E. Whelan
  Fish Production Manager
  MI DNR Fisheries Division
  P.O. Box 30446
  Lansing, MI 48909
  Phone (517) 373-6948
  FAX (517) 373-0381
  Ben Gollon ben@******* 01/20/07 11:41 AM
  

  Gary,
  

  I'm not real clear on this, as far as what is being required of the MI resident harvesters and their fish.
  

  Is this just a guideline for now, and soon to be rule?
  

  I think the confusion is coming from :
  

  "1. In-State Storage Facilities * Fish from Wild Sources
  a. All minnow species listed in the USDA-APHIS Emergency Order will need to be certified VHS negative to be sold anywhere in Michigan."
  

  As you can imagine, there has been quite a "buzz" in the industry, especially from the resident bait harvesters.
  

  Could you please clarify DNR's position if possible at this time ?
  

  Thanks-
  

  Ben
  

  POSTED: January 25, 2007

  Department of Natural Resources Confirms Spread of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) in Great Lakes
  Contact: Kelley Smith 517-373-3375
  Agency: Natural Resources
  
  January 25, 2007
  Recent analyses of fish sampled from northern Lake Huron have confirmed the existence of viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) in lake whitefish, walleyes and Chinook salmon, Department of Natural Resources fisheries officials announced today. VHS is a virus that causes disease in fish but does not pose any threat to public health.

  **THIS IS A MUST READ** Click here for the entire DNR Press Release

  From: whelang@michigan.gov
  Subject: DNR Confirms Spread of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) in Great Lakes
  Date: January 25, 2007 8:25:19 PM GMT-05:00
  To: ********

  FYI - Sorry to be bringing you some bad news. I do not know what this
  means overall yet but it will mean we will have to rethink our strategy
  and it gives me a big headache.

  Gary

  POSTED: Janaury 23, 2007

  This is an email David Mackie received from Gary Whelan.

  Dave,

  I am not sure we have answered your questions in all of the
  correspondence on VHS. We have the following responses to your
  questions:

  >have any minnows emeralds, spottails or sandshiners been tested from
  >st. clair river, lake st clair or michigan waters of lake erie?
  1. We have emerald and spottail shiner samples in to our lab from the
  St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie. We do not have any
  results back at this time.

  > is there a test to determine if vhs is present in the water
  >itself?
  2. At this time, there is not a test for VHS virus in water. It is
  possible to do so and we are looking to have research done to get such a
  tool developed but it is not available at this time. It is likely to be
  a few years before such a test is ready and tested.

  >are you aware of the amount of minnows that have migrated up the st
  >clair river to lake huron in the last 3 years?
  3. We do not have any information on the number of minnow that have
  migrated up the St. Clair River to Lake Huron or if they do so.

  >do you have any paper work available on this upcoming closer?
  4. We have not made any decision on how we will deal with the harvest
  of bait from VHS positive waters. When options are selected, we will
  ask the bait industry for their input as we have on other issues.

  I hope this information helps,

  Gary

  POSTED: January 19, 2007

  **THIS IS A MUST READ** John Dettmers APHIS Meeting Comments

  POSTED: January 19, 2007

  Attached is our guidance document on how to proceed with baitfish
  testing. In addition to anyone getting a vet to do the sampling, I am
  trying to get help from MDA field vets and will try to make some of our
  staff available to sample your facilities if we run into problems with
  sampling. These arrangements may take a few days to get into place. If
  you have questions, feel free to contact and we will continue to work
  through this issue.

  Also feel free to spread this information to others. Just so you know
  I will be gone from Tuesday morning to Friday next week but will be
  monitoring email.

  Thanks,

  Gary

  Click here to download a PDF version of the Bait Fish Testing Guidance

  POSTED: January 19, 2007

  For the latest information on the 2007 Michigan Aquaculture meeting visit http://www.michiganaquaculture.com/michigan_aquaculture_2007.htm.

  POSTED: January 11, 2007

  The links shown below are documents that were provided to the USDA-APHIS at the January 10, 2007 meeting in Romulus, MI.

  Click here to download a PDF version of Gary Whelan's statement to APHIS on behalf of the CLC

  Click here to download a PDF version of the CLC letter to APHIS

  Click here to download a PDF version of Michigan's DNR comments on the USDA Interm Rule for VHS

  POSTED: January 11, 2007

  I would like to thank everyone that attended the APHIS meeting on January 10th in Michigan. We had a great turnout. Even though the meeting is over, we should not stop the fight. This is why I am strongly encouraging everyone to contact their local, state, and US government officials and explain the situation to them. The more people we have on our side, the better. Please use the links shown below to find your government official.

  Michigan State Senators

  Michigan State Representatives by District

  US Senators and Representatives from Michigan

  POSTED: January 8, 2007

  The Michigan Aquaculture Association January newsletter is available at http://www.michiganaquaculture.com/michigan_aquaculture_2007.htm. This months letter contains information on VHS and the USDA meeting on January 10, 2007 in Romulus, MI.

  POSTED: January 3, 2007

  If you are unable to attend the USDA public meeting on the proposed rules to control VHS, but would like to submit a written statement, please feel free to email it to me at lynn@mackiesbaits.com and my family will make sure the APHIS representative receives it.

  Sincerely,

  Lynn Mackie

  POSTED: December 28, 2006

  As you are already probably aware, Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) has been discovered in certain parts of the Great Lakes.  The discovery of this virus in the Great Lakes is causing the USDA and DNR to impose restrictions that may shut down the bait industry in Michigan as well as other states.

  The USDA will hold a public meeting on January 10, 2007, in Romulus, MI, to discuss VHS and the issues concerning possible regulation of the bait industry.  I am strongly encouraging all minnow catchers and wholesale minnow dealers to attend this meeting to not only ask questions and share their opinions, but to also show support for the bait industry.

  Sincerely,

  David Mackie
  dave@mackiesbait.com
  810-794-9962

  POSTED: December 28, 2006

  Friends

  Please pass along this information. The PA Fish & Boat Commission is currently working jointly with Dept. Ag., other state agencies, and local bait shops, and commercial dealers to address this disease. More information will be coming and I will attempt to keep you up to speed as much as possible. If you have any questions please feel free to call Chuck Murray of the PFBC Lake Erie Research Unit at 814-474-1515.

  The attached form is a simple information sheet for VHS awareness. This disease can have potentially big impacts on our local fishery and we should take it very serious.

  Thanks...Brook
  WCO Brook R. Tolbert
  PA Fish & Boat Commission
  Western Erie County

  Click here to download a PDF version of PA VHS Awareness Guide

  POSTED: December 26, 2006

  USDA Control of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia; Public Meeting

  AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

  ACTION: Notice of public meetings.

  SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's Veterinary Services program will host four public meetings to present current information about the outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) and actions taken to prevent the spread of this fish disease, and to discuss issues concerning possible regulation of VHS by the Agency.

  DATES: The meetings will be held in Lakewood, CO, and Memphis, TN, on January 9, 2007, and in Romulus, MI, and Coraopolis, PA, on January 10, 2007. Each meeting will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon, local time.

  ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the following locations:
  Lakewood, CO: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 134 Union
  Boulevard, 1st Floor Conference Room, Lakewood, CO.
  Memphis, TN: The Peabody Memphis Hotel, 149 Union Avenue,
  Memphis, TN.
  Romulus, MI: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Detroit-Metro Airport,
  8000 Merriman Road, Romulus, MI.
  Coraopolis, PA: Pittsburgh Airport Marriott, 777 Aten
  Road, Coraopolis, PA.

  FOR THE COMPLETE ANNOUNCMENT CLICK HERE

  POSTED: December 26, 2006

  From: "Gary Whelan" <whelang@michigan.gov>

  As promised, we have developed a draft VHS sampling strategy for bait industry facilities in cooperation with MDA. This strategy will allow us to certify facilities to be VHS-free and will be able to sell anywhere in the state. Additionally, this strategy will satisfy any USDA-APHIS standards. The strategy has two methods depending on how fish are handled at given facilities.

  As promised, we wanted to give you an opportunity to comment on this proposal prior to us implementing it. This is a good time to handle comments as most of the labs we are aware of can not handle any samples until after the 1st week of the year. We would appreciate your review of the attached document which is also repeated below for those that do not have Microsoft Word. Please provide us comments and thoughts by January 4th.

  I wish all of you a very happy holiday season and look forward to our continued cooperation on this difficult issue for all.

  Click here to download a PDF version of the Draft VHS Sampling Strategy for the Bait Industry Facilities

  Click here to view a HTML version of the Draft VHS Sampling Strategy for the Bait Industry Facilities

  Date: 12-21-2006
  Drafted by: Gary Whelan

  POSTED: December 26, 2006

  Interim Rule Status: From: Jill.B.Rolland@aphis.usda.gov

  Currently we have a work plan in with our regulatory analysis staff and we have had discussions internally on potential approaches, including ideas presented at the meeting in Riverdale.

  The public meetings are scheduled to be announced in the Federal Register this Friday. The purpose of these meetings is to allow the public to have an opportunity to provide input, so that if there is new information we previously have not heard, it can be taken into consideration in the interim rule.

  We will be able to discuss with you what direction we are likely to pursue in the interim rule, however, due to the Administrative Procedures Act, the text of the rule cannot be shared outside of the Federal government before it is published in the Federal Register. An interim Rule is effective upon publication, although there have been cases where the interim rule has gone into effect 30 or 60 days after publication. There will be a comment period and written comments to the rule can result in changes that will be published as a final rule.

  Jill Rolland

  POSTED: December 26, 2006

  Conference Announcement

  Michigan Aquaculture Association announces the upcoming Michigan Aquaculture 2007. The Conference and the 20th Annual Meeting theme this year's is "VHS, Aquaculture, and the Great Lakes". The Conference will be held at McGuire's Resort - Cadillac, Michigan on February 6 and 7, 2007. Michigan Aquaculture 2007 is open to all interested parties within the fisheries world of the Great Lakes Basin. For more information, go to: http://www.michiganaquaculture.com and click the tab - 2007 Annual Meeting.

  POSTED: December 19, 2006

  At the present time, Michigan's DNR is testing minnows from Alpena to Lake Erie for VHS. The results of these tests should be available in as early as three weeks. Once the results are available, the DNR will decide which areas of the Great Lakes will be banned from minnow catching. The test results and the DNR's decision will be posted here once they are announced publicly.