FISHING NEWS ITEM

37 Fishes Banned Due to VHS Virus Feed

TUESDAY, 31 OCTOBER 2006

Great Lakes, Ohio – A virus is threatening the fishing industry of Ohio as 37 fishes are included on the banned list.

Among those fishes included are Rainbow Trout and Steelhead. The virus, Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS), can kill fish, upset delicate systems but pose no problem to people eating the fish.

The ban is causing a major impact on Ohio since people all over the world come to Ohio to fish for Steelhead. Likewise, Ohio brings in around 400,000 Steelhead from Michigan every year as yearlings to stock Lake Erie’s tributaries.

Moreover, the ban could also affect bait shops. Some kinds of minnows are already on the list and others, like Fathead Minnows from Minnesota and South Dakota, could be added. If that happens, the supply of bait would decrease dramatically.

There are already some Great Lakes groups that are currently in Washington to try to get the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to lift the ban before fishing seasons begins again in March.

For a list of VHS susceptible species and for more information, please visit www.wkyc.com.

VHS is caused by a rhabdovirus designated as the viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus. The virus infection occurs in salmonids and certain other fishes of any age and may result in significant cumulative mortality. Fish that survive may become carriers.

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