Resources Board Considers Backing Off Statewide Fish Movement Ban
Fish Virus Was Found In Some Wisconsin Waterways
Updated: 6:55 pm CDT October 22, 2007
MADISON, Wis. -- The state Natural Resources Board could vote on Wednesday to end contingency plans for a statewide ban on fish movement to stop the deadly VHS virus, or viral hemorrhagic septicemia.Temporary state rules currently in place banned fish movement off Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, the Mississippi River and the Lake Winnebago system. A provision in those regulations would extend the ban statewide if the virus turns up in one more inland water.The board is expected to vote on a permanent rules package that would step back from that. Those rules would extend the movement ban only to specific bodies of water where the virus is found.Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources fish expert Mike Staggs said that the agency is confident VHS hasn't spread and anglers shouldn't be inconvenienced by outbreaks hundreds of miles away.The virus causes fish to bleed to death, officials said.
Previous Stories:
- August 16, 2007: Emergency Rule To Expand Testing For Fish Virus
- August 13, 2007: Wisconsin Agriculture Department Issues New VHS Rules
- August 6, 2007: VHS Fish Virus Found in Northern Wisconsin
- May 25, 2007: Veterinarians Learn To Test For Deadly Fish Virus
- May 24, 2007: DNR: Deadly Fish Virus Turns Up In Lake Michigan
- May 21, 2007: DNR: Anglers Take Steps To Keep Lakes Free From Fish Virus
- May 16, 2007: DNR Might Kill Fish Used To Stock Lakes
Copyright 2007 by Channel 3000. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
