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Largemouth Bass Virus Found in Lake Winnipesaukee |
CONCORD, N.H. - Bass sampled this summer from Lake Winnipesaukee have
tested positive for largemouth bass virus (LMBV), with initial testing
showing LMBV to be present in a sample of smallmouth bass. The infected
fish were collected as part of the Winnipesaukee bass tagging study
being conducted by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.
Previously, LMBV had not been detected in New Hampshire; Fish and Game
biologists have been testing for the virus since 2006.
"Finding largemouth bass virus in smallmouth bass is not surprising, as
this virus is known to be carried by other fish such as smallmouth
bass, pickerel and some sunfish species," said Dr. Joel Bader, N.H.
Fish and Game Fish Pathologist. "As we continue to test more bass from
Lake Winnipesaukee, it is likely that we will find largemouth bass
virus in largemouth bass, as well."
Largemouth bass virus is one of more than 100 naturally occurring
viruses in fish. Fish with largemouth bass virus are safe to handle and
eat, as the virus does not infect warm-blooded animals, including
humans.
Presence of the virus in a fish population does not necessarily mean
fish will develop LMBV disease, which can cause them to die or show
signs of being in poor health. Most fish carrying largemouth bass virus
appear completely normal, but largemouth bass kills sometimes result in
waters that test positive for LMBV. These fish kills generally occur
during the summer months, indicating that warmer water temperatures may
be a factor. In cases where the virus has triggered disease, dying bass
may be near the water surface and have difficultly swimming and
remaining upright. The virus attacks the swim bladder, sometimes
causing bass to lose their equilibrium and appear bloated. Largemouth
bass between 12 and 15 inches appear to be most susceptible to the
disease. The occurrence of lesions or black spots is not a sign that a
fish has LMBV.
The virus appears to result in disease when largemouth bass are
stressed -- warm water temperatures, low oxygen, poor water quality,
and frequent handling can increase the chance that fish may get the
disease.
Scientists are unsure as to how the virus is transmitted or how it
develops into a disease. There is currently no cure or preventative for
LMBV, and it can live in water for up to seven days. It is known that
the virus may be transmitted through water, by fish consuming infected
prey, or through direct and indirect contact in boat live wells.
No evidence currently exists that the virus has caused long-term
impacts to a fishery; some data indicate that an infected fishery will
recover over a period of years.
"Based on the information we have about the virus, it is unlikely that
largemouth bass virus poses a serious threat to the long-term health of
New Hampshire's bass resources," said Gabe Gries, N.H. Fish and Game
fisheries biologist and Warmwater Project Leader. "However, because the
virus can sometimes kill or negatively impact largemouth bass and can
be spread or influenced by anglers, it is important to test fish to
learn where the virus is present in New Hampshire, inform anglers about
the virus and try to minimize its spread.
"It is of the utmost importance for anglers to help keep this virus
from spreading by cleaning their equipment after use and by not
transferring fish, including baitfish, from one waterbody to another,"
added Gries.
Anglers can help minimize the impact and spread of largemouth bass virus by following these suggested guidelines:
* Drain water from bilge and live wells and clean boats, trailer and
other equipment between fishing trips with a solution of bleach to
water (1:100 ratio) and let air-dry.
* Use a solution of bleach to water (1:100 ratio) to clean live wells and let air-dry.
* Never transfer fish or fish parts from one body of water to
another. In fact, New Hampshire law prohibits transfer of live fish
from one waterbody to another.
* Do not release live bait into waterbodies.
* Handle bass as gently as possible.
* During times of high water temperatures, minimize stress to fish as much as possible.
* Conduct fishing tournaments during cooler weather, so fish caught will not be as stressed.
* Reduce daily bass tournament bag limits or use a "paper format" during times of high water temperatures.
* Report dead or dying fish to the N.H. Fish and Game Department.
* Educate other anglers about LMBV.
"It is likely that the virus is or will soon be present in other
waterbodies in New Hampshire," said Dr. Bader. "We will soon be
expanding our testing for this virus in other waters, and ask the
public for their cooperation in reporting any fish kills, particularly
those involving bass."
Largemouth bass virus was first detected in Florida in 1991 and gained
national attention in 1995 when it caused a largemouth bass kill in
South Carolina. The virus was originally thought to be restricted to
the southern U.S., but it has recently been detected in some
Northeastern states, including Vermont (Lake Champlain) and
Connecticut.
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