New Rules Might Protect Fish From Virus
Deadly Virus Affects All Species Of Fish
Updated: 12:41 pm CDT May 15, 2007
MADISON, Wis. -- New state rules are likely as state fish and agriculture officials rush to contain in a deadly fish virus and keep it out of Madison lakes.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe state Department of Natural Resources and the state agriculture department -- which oversees live bait and fish farming -- met late Monday to talk about possible new regulations after detecting the virus in the state, WISC-TV reported.DNR officials said that the virus, viral hemorrhagic septicemia or VHS, is responsible for massive fish kills in some great lakes and targets all species of fish.Officials said the virus is harmless to humans, but the impact to Wisconsin's $2 billion fishing industry could be devastating.The DNR said the virus has found its way to the Winnebago lake system. They said that they closed the Menasha lock in hopes of slowing the spread of the virus, WISC-TV reported.The DNR said without the immediate help of fishermen everywhere, VHS would likely find its way into Madison lakes too."The worst case scenario is we'd see significant reductions in say walleye, possibly panfish or other species in the lakes to the order of 10 to 50 percent -- which is what we've seen in other populations," said Mike Staggs, the Fisheries Director with the Wisconsin DNR.The DNR said that it wants to enact emergency rules to contain the virus, which could mean banning the movement of any water, live fish and unused bait from the Winnebago system. Many fishermen said that they wouldn’t mind the new rules if it means preserving Wisconsin fishing."Oh, [it would] be terrible. I mean some of the best fishing is in Wisconsin right now and, it'd be a bummer if they if the fish started dying off on us," said fisherman Andy Adams.Currently, the rules aren't in place, but the DNR asked fishermen to voluntarily do their part by empting all the water out of boats -- including the live well, bilge or ballast and dispose of any unused bait.The DNR said it would seek further restrictions from the DNR board Thursday to keep the virus contained."If it gets in here and it gets in the Mississippi, it's all over," said Jim Peterson, a bass fisherman.Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe state Department of Natural Resources and the state agriculture department -- which oversees live bait and fish farming -- met late Monday to talk about possible new regulations after detecting the virus in the state, WISC-TV reported.DNR officials said that the virus, viral hemorrhagic septicemia or VHS, is responsible for massive fish kills in some great lakes and targets all species of fish.Officials said the virus is harmless to humans, but the impact to Wisconsin's $2 billion fishing industry could be devastating.The DNR said the virus has found its way to the Winnebago lake system. They said that they closed the Menasha lock in hopes of slowing the spread of the virus, WISC-TV reported.The DNR said without the immediate help of fishermen everywhere, VHS would likely find its way into Madison lakes too."The worst case scenario is we'd see significant reductions in say walleye, possibly panfish or other species in the lakes to the order of 10 to 50 percent -- which is what we've seen in other populations," said Mike Staggs, the Fisheries Director with the Wisconsin DNR.The DNR said that it wants to enact emergency rules to contain the virus, which could mean banning the movement of any water, live fish and unused bait from the Winnebago system. Many fishermen said that they wouldn’t mind the new rules if it means preserving Wisconsin fishing."Oh, [it would] be terrible. I mean some of the best fishing is in Wisconsin right now and, it'd be a bummer if they if the fish started dying off on us," said fisherman Andy Adams.Currently, the rules aren't in place, but the DNR asked fishermen to voluntarily do their part by empting all the water out of boats -- including the live well, bilge or ballast and dispose of any unused bait.The DNR said it would seek further restrictions from the DNR board Thursday to keep the virus contained."If it gets in here and it gets in the Mississippi, it's all over," said Jim Peterson, a bass fisherman.Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.Copyright 2007 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
