New rules are designed to protect trout from virus
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By WAYNE A. LAROCHE - Published: January 27, 2008
If you do any ice fishing, you probably already know that Vermont has placed new restrictions on the use of minnows for bait. This action, which has caused some outcry from anglers, has been taken to slow or prevent the arrival of viral hemorrhagic septicemia to Vermont. An "emergency rule" has been put in place restricting the sale and harvest of baitfish.
Viral hemorrhagic septicemia is a viral disease that affects a wide variety of fish species. It is not treatable in wild fish and can cause massive mortality. The disease can infect fish that carry the disease but do not die until extremes in water temperature or other stress cause the disease to become lethal. In the Great Lakes, outbreaks of VHS have been killing fish by the tons.
The disease was first found in the Great Lakes in 2003. It is believed to have been transported in bilge water from ocean-going vessels. The disease has been a serious problem in rainbow trout hatcheries for more than 50 years. It has been spreading through the Great Lakes and to some unconnected inland lakes at an alarming rate. It now approaches Vermont, being in the St. Lawrence River since 2006. So far, it has not been found in Vermont. However, the speed of its spread has prompted Vermont to take emergency action.
The disease causes uncontrolled bleeding. Redness or bleeding around the eyes or base of fins is common. Eyes may bulge and blood may accumulate around intestine, liver or swim bladder. Loss of blood results in death of the fish. However, infected fish may show no symptoms and appear healthy.
Fishery biologists believe that Lake Champlain is at high risk because of the large amount of movement of anglers between Lake Champlain and the Great Lakes. We believe it is the most likely water body to be first infected by VHS. Movement of baitfish and water from location to location is believed to be the single greatest risk factor for spreading VHS. However, movement of water, including the water in bilges and motors, could spread the disease. It is important that anglers take the time to drain all water from their boats and run their motors for a few seconds after pulling from the water.
It is not yet known whether VHS will have any significant long-term impacts on fisheries in infected waters. Large quantities of fish have been killed in the Great Lakes. However, it is too early to tell whether fisheries in the Great Lakes will be affected significantly. We are working hard to improve fisheries in Lake Champlain and throughout Vermont. We don't want VHS to ruin everything that we are working toward.
In 2007, the Fish and Wildlife Department expanded trophy trout fishing opportunities and the number of fish stocked. We also successfully accomplished sea lamprey control on the Poultney River for the first time in more than a decade. Vermont's fish hatcheries have now been running at full capacity for several years. You can be assured that the department is dedicated to improving fishing opportunities in Vermont.
However, if resource managers and anglers alike fail to protect our valuable fisheries resources, all of this hard work could be for nothing. I urge everyone to help by learning about and using safe angling-related practices. Moving live fish, water and plants from one water body to another is extremely risky behavior. The spread of disease, nuisance species, and exotic species can greatly reduce the value of our fisheries. We are all going to have to work on this together if we hope to protect the future of fishing in Vermont.
Emergency rules only last for 120 days and don't include public input. Public input is an important part of the regular Fish and Wildlife Board rulemaking process, which is now underway to develop a permanent rule. If you are interested or affected by the emergency rule, you should plan to attend one of the five public hearings that have been scheduled for the end of January and beginning of February.
We have received many calls and e-mails concerning the emergency baitfish rule. We are listening to anglers and taking notes. You can count on the department supporting any reasonable changes to the emergency rule. However, we need a rule to ensure that we have fish to fish for.
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