After doing a bit of research, I'll have to concur with APHIS's decision, although I believe that there likely will need to be some adjustments in the order to take into account the concerns of state fisheries managers and those states that have watersheds separate from that of the Great Lakes. I'm also sure that politics and self interest have something to do with the position of the aquaculture industry as regards VHSV, in this case self-interest coincides largely with the public interest.

A couple of pertinent items:

According to Lane's original post, this is a new strain of the virus. As a different strain from either the Northern Pacific or European it may have different characteristics from either. It is best to understand what these characteristics are before we loosen the regulatory regime dicated by the APHIS order.

The virus may be carried and made apparent by its effects in host fish, but it resides in the water. Because of this, probably nothing will stop the virus from infecting the entire Great Lakes, and any waters connected to it. Hopefully, the strain will allow some measure of immunity acquisition as does the Northern Pacific strain. As an aside. there is one recorded instance of VHSV in LMB.

Ultimately, the best practice is to restrict the sale of baitfish to those waters where they were caught. In the case of farm raised baitfish the water needs to be tested for not only VHSV, but other diseases as well. If that hurts the bait industry, so be it. Dead bait can also transmit the virus, so similar rules should apply.

Restrictions on tournaments is not an issue. The APHIS order only applies to live fish, and to  my knowledge, all tournaments release their fish into the same waters where they were caught. There is some risk that regulations may be considered regarding cleansing of boats/livewells that have been exposed to VHSV infected water. I recommend we all wait for that to happen, and judge the regulations on their actual wording and likely effects on sportfishing before we get hysterical. Frankly, from what  I've read this evening, particulary research done by the Australian government when considering their own fish importation restrictions, I highly doubt that such regulations will be considered. or should be. Besides, they are probably not enforceable.

www.marlab.ac.uk/FRS.Web/Uploads/Documents/AAAH06MarineVHSV.pdf

www.affa.gov.au/corporate_docs/publications/pdf/market_access/biosecurity/animal/2003/2003-15a.pdf

www.enaca.org/modules/news/article.php?storyid=805

www.nwrc.usgs.gov/world/content/plants3.html

(Most, but not all of it)

Glenn,

I just got off the phone with Gordon Robertson, the vice president of the ASA. We have been

members of the ASA for several years. He gave me a update on the USDA/APHIS ban. They

are unlikely to rescind the ban. They met STRONG OPPOSITION from the various state DNR

agencies along with scientists from Michigan State University Sea Grant Program, etc.  They have not

made a formal decision as of yet. I am working CLOSELY with my US Senator's top aide on

the Agriculture Oversite Committee on this issue, along with federal legislation to force cargo

ships to disinfect ballast tanks before entry into the Great Lakes.

The USDA/APHIS ban is like putting a BandAid on a gapping wound! Most of us in the scientific

community believe that fish will develop natural antibodies against the virus in the next 2 years.

Unfortunately, we also believe that this virus will mutate as it travels down the Mississippi River

to the Gulf of Mexico. There is NO WAY to stop the spread down the Mississippi River. The Zebra

Mussels have already make their way into the Gulf of Mexico. For 15 YEARS the Great Lake's

Fish Health Commission has asked the government to force cargo ships to either disinfect or

grind the contents of organisims in their ballast tanks!

The ecology of the Great Lakes has been SEVERLY damaged, and it will take YEARS and HARD

work to restore the LARGEST lake system on the planet. The Great Lakes comprise 20% of the

freshwater on the planet. Putting USELESS bans on the states fishing industry along with state

and university research facilities is CRAZY!  It also makes no sense to endanger the already damaged

eco system with fishes brought in from the south. The Asian Carp has already breached barriers

and has entered the Great Lakes. We do not need to introduce any NON NATIVE SPECIES OF FISH!

Bringing in goldfish or genetically engineered baitfish is DANGEROUS!

Here is a interesting link on the current ecological situation of the Great Lakes. Hopefully members

will gain some useful insight.

www.ehponline.org/members/2005/113-3/focus.html

This is a health advisory link for New York regarding the Type E Botulism. In fact they found thousands

of dead Canadian Geese earlier this week in North Dakota. All dead from the Type E Botulism.

www.dec.state.ny.us/website/press/pressrel/2006/2006110.html