Just in time for spring, anglers and recreational boaters (http://www.FocusOnFishHealth.org) in the nation’s midsection are hearing disturbing news about their recreational waterways.
With evidence that the voracious Asian carp has been detected in all of the Great Lakes and that the contagious fish disease VHS, or viral hemorrhagic septicemia, is now in waters as far north and west as Lake Superior, fishing (http://www.FocusOnFishHealth.org) and boating enthusiasts might be concerned that their favorite spots may be ruined. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) notes that prime waters can still be protected by the people who use them, particularly small bodies of water, streams and rivers where diseases and destructive invaders have not been detected.
APHIS offers a list of surprisingly simple steps to be taken to preserve the health of wild fish (http://www.FocusOnFishHealth.org) species for generations to come:
1. Thoroughly clean and dry all fishing and boating equipment including bait buckets, boots, boats, and trailers with HOT water.
2. Empty all water from equipment including buckets and bilges.
3. Remove all visible mud, plants and aquatic life from equipment before transporting.
4. Do not move fish and plants from one body of water to another.
5. Buy bait from certified bait dealers and dispose of unused bait in a secure trash area away from the water.
For more information, visit http://www.FocusOnFishHealth.org.
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