Biosecurity on Fish Farms - Oct 8
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Biosecurity in Fish Farming
Operations
Saturday,
Oct 18, 9 am to 4 pm
Franklin
County Technical School,
82 Industrial Boulevard, Turners Falls,
MA
A
team of aquaculture scientists will present a program
on fish health, fish diseases and how protect your
facility from fish pathogens. In the morning, we will
meet at Franklin County Technical School to learn the
latest information concerning fish diseases in the
Northeast.
In
the afternoon, we will take part in a biosecurity
assessment of Four Star Farms, in Northfield MA (15
minutes from Turners Falls). Four Star Farms grows
largemouth bass in ponds, RAS and in season-shifting
tanks to allow for year-round spawning. They are also
developing a trout culture
system.
REGISTRATION
–
All individuals interested in finfish production are
encouraged to attend.
There is no charge for the meeting but
pre-registration is encouraged.
Participants who are pre-registered will receive a
free lunch.
To
register:
call Craig Hollingsworth at
(413) 545-1055,
or email
chollingsworth@umext.umass.edu.
8:30
–
9:00 Registration
& refreshments
9:00
– 9:15 Welcome
and overview of the workshop –
Michele Walsh, Micro Technologies, Inc. Richmond
ME
9:15
–
9:45 Emerging
Diseases of Fish in the Northeast
(VHSV, Spring Viremia of Carp, Largemouth Bass
Virus & Koi Herpes Virus) –
Paul Bowser, Cornell
University
9:45
Break
10:00
– 10:30
New Technologies in Fish Disease Diagnostics
–
Jim Casey, Cornell University
10:30
– 11:00 Implementing
Biosecruity at Australis –
Keith Wilda, Australis
Aquaculture
11:00
– 11:30 Biosecurity
& Best Management Practices -
Practical Ways of Mitigating Disease on the
Farm –
Michele Walsh, Micro Technologies,
Inc
12:00
– 2:45
LUNCH
12:45
– 1:00
Travel to Four Star Farm, Northfield
MA
1:15 – 1:45
Farm tour –
Reagan Ellis; Gene and Nathan
L’Etoile
2:00 – 4:00
Biosecurity audit & fish health inspection
(includes Q&A &
discussion)
Michele Walsh, Micro Technologies,
Inc
Directions to Franklin County Technical
School
1. From the
West: Take
Rt. 2 East, Mohawk Trail, to Rt. 91 North. Take Exit
27, at Rt. 2 East.
*Follow
Rt. 2 East, taking a right at the second set of
lights. Go across the bridge; then take a left at the
lights onto 3rd Street.
**Follow
3rd Street to the top of the hill. Bear left at the
fork; follow signs for the airport. Travel 2 miles,
taking a left onto Industrial Boulevard. Follow
Industrial Boulevard for 1 mile; school is on your
right.
2.
Travelling From the
South: Take
Rt. 91 North to Exit 27, Route 2 East*. Follow
directions as indicated in #1.
3.
Travelling From the
North:
Take
Rt. 91 South to Exit 27, Route 2 East*. Follow
directions as indicated in #1.
4.
Travelling From the
East:
Follow
Route 2 West, travelling 3 miles past the French King
Bridge. At the set of lights at the Mobile Gas
Station in Gill, take a left into Turners Falls. Go
across the bridge; then follow the directions in #1
from left at lights onto 3rd
Street**.
USDA APHIS VHS Interim Rule Information
Last week, a number of fish health professionals as well as fish producers met in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to discuss the interim rule concerning viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) that will go into effect November 10. There is no doubt the interim rule will reshape the aquatic animal industry if it moves forward as written. You may have already seen the new USDA APHIS rule which modifies the Federal Order issued in October 2006. Like the Federal Order, the interim rule only applies to the interstate movement of fish from the 8 Great Lake states. However, I think this is a discussion we all would be wise to follow. There are three items in the attached interim rule that I would like to highlight for you:
1 The rule gives people 30 days to sample their fish and get their paperwork in order to move fish; however, the cell culture test takes 28 days to incubate. It is impossible to comply.
2 The fish need to be inspected by an accredited vet or competent authority within 72 hours of being shipped. APHIS doesn’t require this person to be a vet and the states need to be clear who they (the state) will recognize as an inspector. Unfortunately, there are no visual symptoms specific to VHS. Also, the cleaning of shipping containers must be monitored by an accredited vet or the competent authority.
3 Facilities that have a secure water source must test twice a year. However, the number of samples required decreases if the farm has a history of VHS free test results. For water sources that are not secure, test results are only valid for 30 days.
A factsheet is at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/content/printable_version/faq_vhs_interim_rule.pdf.
Thanks for your help on the NASAC Aquatic Animal State Contact list that makes it possible for me to get this email to you.
Bart Hawcroft
www.nasac.net
USDA-APHIS Interim Rule
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
IL VHS Emergency Regulations
Gary
IL DNR VHS Emergency Regulations Press Release
IL Emergency VHS Rules 7 2008
USDA-APHIS VHSv Education/Outreach activities
First, I want to thank the Educational Alliance for its help and input on VHS outreach and education activities. We have received a number of excellent proposals and suggestions. At the outset, APHIS is going forward with two of them: A cooperative agreement with the Center for Food Security and Public Health at Iowa State to develop and host a VHS website, and with a grant to the Human Dimensions Research Unit at Cornell to provide insight on stakeholders in the Great Lakes Region.
The website which is expected to be complete by the end of December, will be an immediate resource for anyone interested in VHS, from the public to practitioners and academics. Amount: $55,000.
The research on insight into stakeholders in the Great Lakes region will identify the range of knowledge, awareness and concern about VHS among key stakeholder groups, identify sources of information used by them, learn about their willingness to respond to VHS and actual behavioral responses taken by them. This information will be vital to establish what is termed in advertising language as "foundational awareness." This information will eventually be used to inform the campaign's future messages and directions. Amount: $49,800.
With the remaining funds for this year, which will be allocated by September 30, we are planning to continue the advertising plan currently underway. Most of the advertising runs through July and August, and we will extend it for approximately six additional months. The advertising will take into account suggestions that have been provided. Once a media buyer has been awarded a contract and there is a new schedule, we will forward it to the alliance. Amount: $190,000
While Iowa State has provided a comprehensive proposal to develop print materials, educator and audio materials, prevention education mass media tools, youth program materials and promotional items, APHIS feels it is best to hold on to these items until we receive the results of Cornell's research which will give us a foundation upon which to direct the education and outreach campaign. APHIS intends to continue this effort in FY '09 and can build on ISU's ideas for collateral materials and we will evaluate the proposals and determine if some or all will need to be competitively bid.
Remaining FY '08 funds will be used to print additional wallet cards.
We are looking forward to working with all of you as we go forward with these activities.
Thank you,
Gary Egrie, Peter Merrill, Madelaine Fletcher, Heather Curlett
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
P. Gary Egrie, VMD
Senior Staff Veterinary Medical Officer, Aquaculture Program
United States Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
4700 River Road, Unit 46
Riverdale, MD 20737
(301) 734-0695 (Office)
(301) 734-4982 (Fax)
(240) 460-5986 (Cell)
VHS detected in IL
Illinois Announces Emergency Regulations to Stop Spread of Fish Virus
VHS detected in Illinois waters of Lake Michigan – No threat to human health
Regulations impact anglers, boaters, and aquaculture
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today announced emergency regulations aimed at slowing the spread of fish-killing Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) in Illinois after sampling of fish in the Illinois waters of Lake Michigan detected the presence of VHS in two species of fish sampled.
Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) is a disease of fish caused by an aquatic virus previously unidentified in the Midwest. While it does not affect humans, VHS can kill a substantial number of fish and has been spreading throughout the Great Lakes.
“The new regulations we are implementing are immediate and appropriate steps in trying to slow the spread of this dangerous aquatic virus in Illinois,” said IDNR Acting Director Sam Flood. “Sport fishing and boating are both very popular and important to the Illinois economy. The cooperation of anglers and boaters is essential in combating VHS.”
The new emergency regulations being implemented by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) regarding VHS that affect recreational anglers and boaters include:
• Eliminating natural water from all equipment when leaving a body of water.
• Emptying and draining all bait buckets, livewells, baitwells, bilges, etc. or any other compartment capable of holding natural waters when leaving a body of water.
• Do not remove live VHS-susceptible species (see below) from any waters. Anglers may catch and keep VHS-susceptible species, but may not transport those fish live from the waters where caught.
• Use of wild-trapped fishes from within the state as bait will be restricted to the waters where legally captured.
New emergency regulations are also being implemented immediately regarding fish stocking and the transport of fish in Illinois:
• All fish imported from affected areas (currently the eight Great Lakes states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.) must be certified as free of VHS.
• All susceptible species for stocking public waters must be certified VHS free regardless of their point of origin (including both intra- and inter-state shipments). Wild-trapped minnows and other wild-trapped species must be certified VHS-free, or originate from west of the Mississippi River.
On June 5, the IDNR was notified by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources of positive VHS samples from a fish kill involving round gobies in the Milwaukee area – and on June 13 positive samples were discovered from yellow perch in the same location. As a result, IDNR fisheries biologists submitted samples of bluegill, rock bass, round gobies, and pumpkinseed from Winthrop Harbor (Lake Michigan) on June 10-11. Although the fishes sampled showed no clinical signs of disease and were not part of a fish kill, tests confirmed the presence of VHS in the round goby and rock bass samples on June 25.
Fish can be infected with VHS by direct contact with other infected fish, by a fish consuming its infected prey, or from contact with water which contains the virus. The highly contagious virus causes fish to bleed to death, and advanced symptoms include hemorrhages in the eyes, skin and gills. There is no vaccine for the virus and control methods rely entirely on surveillance and eradication efforts.
“With the discovery of VHS in the Illinois waters of Lake Michigan, we need to act immediately to try to protect our inland waters from VHS,” said IDNR Chief of Fisheries Steve Pallo. “The urgency is amplified by the fact that a significant amount of Lake Michigan water enters the Illinois River system through the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. These emergency regulations and the cooperation of anglers, boaters, and the aquaculture industry are keys to slowing the spread of VHS into other waters in Illinois.”
In recent years, surveillance for aquatic diseases affecting fish has been increased throughout the state. The IDNR will continue its surveillance program, and fish produced at state hatcheries will be tested before they are stocked into Illinois waters. All fish eggs and imports of fish to state facilities will be disinfected and tested prior to import to ensure that VHS does not jeopardize operation of the state fish hatchery system.
While VHS is not known to be a threat to human health, anglers are still advised to wash their hands after handling fish and to cook thoroughly any fish they plan to eat. If handling dead fish or fish that appear to be diseased, protective gloves should be worn. For more information on VHS and the new Illinois regulations aimed at slowing the spread of the virus in Illinois, check the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us
Ontario Fish ID Booklet
Gary
Click here for the Ontario Fish ID Booklet: http://docs.savethebaitbusiness.com/OntarioBaitfishPrimer2008.PDF
Fish Disease Found in Ohio Reservoir
Phone: 612-713-5360 Fax: 612-713-5280 Email: midwestnews@fws.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For additional information: June 17, 2008
See contact information at end of release EA 08 - 55
Fish Disease Found in Ohio Reservoir
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has confirmed that viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHSv), a virus that causes disease in fish but does not pose any threat to public health, was confirmed present in muskellunge sampled during routine egg collection in Clear Fork Reservoir in late April.
The virus was found in ovarian fluid samples collected from the muskellunge as part of routine ODNR testing for VHSv, but has not resulted in a fish kill. The samples were sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Fish Health Center in LaCrosse, WI, where the VHSv virus was initially isolated and then to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory, USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Ames, Iowa, where it was later confirmed.
These results mark the first isolation of VHSv outside the Great Lakes basin. Fisheries officials believe VHSv has been a factor in recent fish kills of several species of fish in the Great Lakes that correspond with the end of spring spawning.
VHSv was first isolated as a virus in 1963, and is presumed responsible for European fish kills as far back as 1938. In 1988, the virus was first detected in marine fishes in the Pacific Northwest. VHSv is a pathogen of international concern and is reportable to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)
In 2005, VHSv was first reported in the Great Lakes, but may have been responsible for fish kills since 2003. VHSv has been responsible for numerous fish kills in lakes Erie, Huron, Michigan, and Ontario. The virus has also been the cause of fish mortality in several inland lakes in the states of Michigan, New York, and Wisconsin, all within the Great Lakes Basin. As a result, APHIS issued an emergency order in 2006 restricting the interstate movement of live fish of susceptible species from the States and Provinces of the Great Lakes. Many States around the Great Lakes, including Ohio, developed their own emergency orders restricting intrastate movement to protect other watershed within their states. For a list of susceptible species, visit APHIS's website at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/.
"One likely possibility is that VHS will act like many other viruses in the environment. Typically, viruses or bacteria infect fish, which may lead to disease in the fish if they are susceptible. Once the disease is expressed in these fish, some percentage of the population will die," said Ray Petering, chief of the DNR Fisheries Division. "Those remaining will survive and will develop immunity to the viruses or bacteria that cause a disease. Since there are no large-scale treatments for VHS that can be applied to fish in the wild, the presence of this new virus may result in spring fish mortalities that are abnormally high for a few years as more fish encounter the virus. These mortalities may abate as fish begin to build immunity to the virus."
Citizens are encouraged to report sick fish or fish kills by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE or use the ODNR Web site at: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/contactform/tabid/10750/Default.aspx
then from the Topic list select: Wildlife - Fishing & Hunting
Anglers should contact the ODNR if they observe large numbers of fish exhibiting any of the following: hemorrhaging in the skin, including large red patches particularly on the sides and on the head; multiple hemorrhages on the liver, spleen, or intestines; or hemorrhages on the swim bladder that give the otherwise transparent organ a mottled appearance.
This information will help ODNR track VHS and take appropriate actions to slow spread of this virus. Anglers and boaters can help prevent spread of VHS and other viruses or bacteria that cause disease in fish by not transferring fish between water bodies, and thoroughly cleaning boats, trailers, nets, and other equipment when traveling between different lakes and streams.
The use of a contact disinfectant such as a solution of 200 ppm chlorine bleach (5.1 ounces per 10 gallons of water) to clean vessels and live wells is very effective against VHS and other viruses and bacteria that cause disease in fish. Soaking exposed items such as live wells, nets, anchors, and bait buckets in a light disinfectant of 20 ppm chlorine solution (5.1 ounces of liquid household bleach per 100 gallons of water) for 30 minutes is also an effective method to prevent the spread of a wide range of aquatic nuisance species. Routine surveillance, disinfection of eggs used in fish production, public education, and additional VHS research will continue by the ODNR, Ohio Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in an effort to minimize the spread of VHS and protect fish hatcheries.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov
Contact Information: Elmer Heyob, State Fish Hatchery Administrator, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife: (614) 265-6347 Becky Lasee, Director, LaCrosse (WI) Fish Health Center, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: (608) 783-8444 Jason Holm, Assistant Regional Director (External Affairs), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, (612) 713-5310
Source: http://tinyurl.com/3q4pqo
Ohio VHS Detection
VHS detected in Clearfork Reservoir Muskellunge
The first Ohio case of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) outside of the Lake Erie drainage was detected by the ODNR, Division of Wildlife and the USFWS disease lab in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Ovarian fluid samples, routinely collected in April to test for VHS, were determined to be positive from muskellunge sampled at Clearfork Reservoir, near Mansfield, Ohio. VHS has not caused a fish kill in Clearfork
Reservoir, nor is it expected to, and does not pose a threat to humans. Clearfork Reservoir fish are safe to eat and contact with the water does not pose a health risk.
The source of VHS transmission to Clearfork Reservoir is presently unknown.
To prevent the spread of VHS to other waters in Ohio, anglers and boaters are advised to: 1) not move live fish from Clearfork Reservoir to other waters, and 2) drain water from live wells, bait buckets, coolers, and boat engines before leaving Clearfork Reservoir.
VHS is a viral disease that was first detected in the Great Lakes in 2003 and was responsible for a freshwater drum die-off in Western Lake Erie during 2006.
The virus has not been detected in samples from other lakes or in the Ohio River during testing routinely conducted since 2006. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources and The Ohio Department of Agriculture will be assessing implications as additional information is obtained.
For additional information, contact:
Ray Petering 614-580-7665
Elmer Heyob 614-265-6347
Finding of VHS in gobies in Milwaukee and update on VHS in Wisconsin
Also, Wisconsin has finalized our regulations relating to VHS covering anglers, boaters, bait harvesters, and others moving live fish into and out of public waters. Details on these and other information on VHS in Wisconsin can be found on our website:
http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/vhs/
If you have any questions on this information, please let me know.
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
Ohio Agriculture Director Extends Emergency Order Restricting Movement of Disease-Susceptible Fish
"The Ohio Department of Agriculture is charged with the responsibility of protecting animals from potentially devastating diseases," Boggs said. "This emergency order not only protects Ohio's fish population but others in points beyond the state's borders."
VHS is a fish disease, which must be reported to the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) under state law. VHS was introduced into the wild fish population by an invasive species. It is not harmful to humans or other animals. Read More...
Environmentalists sue in Mpls. over invasive fish virus
05/01/08
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Several environmental groups are suing the U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Agriculture and other federal agencies to force them to do more to protect Lake Superior fish from a deadly invasive virus.
The Save Lake Superior Association, the Izaak Walton League of Duluth and Minnesota and Wisconsin chapters of Trout Unlimited filed their lawsuit in federal court in Minneapolis on Monday.
They're asking the court to force the federal agencies to enforce regulations to prevent the uptake and discharge of ballast water from infected areas. They say it will prevent the spread of viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS, to Lake Superior.
The federal agencies aren't commenting on the pending litigation, although a Coast Guard official notes the areas of concern must be defined before the Coast Guard can act.
Vermont Baitfish Regulations - VHS
takes into account many of the concerns of anglers and yet still helps protect Vermont fisheries from a deadly new fish virus called Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS). Read More...