Great Lakes Bass Fishing Forum

Different opinions and levels of concern regarding the VHS virus, but the issue is quickly becoming big news all over, and Michigan and the Great Lakes are right in the middle of it:

From ProtectYourWaters.net - Stop Aquatic Hitchikers News:

Archived News:
     - It's Something in the Water

May 01, 2007 -- A foreign virus is killing fish in Lake Ontario by the tens of thousands. Specifically the virus is VHS--viral hemorrhagic septicemia. Federal and state governments are scrambling to slow the virus. Read the full story to get the details.

       http://www.protectyourwaters.net/news/display.php?id=5960

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     - Ebola-like Virus Killing Fish in Great Lakes

April 30, 2007 -- A deadly Ebola-like virus is killing fish of all types in the Great Lakes, a development some scientists fear could trigger disaster for the USA's freshwater fish.

Because of a lack of genetic resistance to viral hemorrhagic septicemia, fish populations could be damaged in the same way the smallpox virus struck Native Americans and Dutch elm disease decimated elm trees, says Jim Winton, chief of fish health at the U.S. Geological Survey in Seattle. Read the full story to get the details.

"VHS is the most important and dangerous fish virus known worldwide," Winton says. "Its discovery in our fresh water is disturbing and potentially catastrophic."

       http://www.protectyourwaters.net/news/display.php?id=5954

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Lethal Virus Hits Erie Fish

May 01, 2007 -- Lake Erie anglers and beach dwellers may soon see the local impact of a new virus attacking fish species throughout the Great Lakes' regions.

Kevin Kayle, a fisheries biologist for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, confirmed that some fish within Lake Erie have tested positive for the viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus, but said the bulk of the fish population will remain unaffected by it. "We're not real worried about it," he said. "It's not like every fish is going to be laid to waste by this disease." Read the full story to get the details.

"A 2006 test for the virus in Lake Erie revealed the disease in species of sheep head and yellow perch, while additional tests taken early this year show that additional species have also been infected."

       http://www.protectyourwaters.net/news/display.php?id=5964

I just read an article in USA today on Monday about the VHS Virus.  I think it was front page.

While I was waiting in my eye Dr.s office this morning I read an article in National Geographic about the Mismanagement of saltwater fish.  Scary....
Hopefully we can do a better job of controlling what goes on in this country...I think it all comes down to money though.  As long as the Importers have the power and funding that they do it will be hard to regulate the shipping industry.  My hats off to Michigan for having the guts to step forward.