08-29-2007, 04:10 PM
CONCORD, N.H. - Bass sampled this summer from Lake Winnipesaukee have tested
positive for largemouth bass virus (LMBV), with initial testing showing LMBV<br />
to be present in a sample of smallmouth bass. The infected fish were<br />
collected as part of the Winnipesaukee bass tagging study being conducted by<br />
the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Previously, LMBV had not been<br />
detected in New Hampshire; Fish and Game biologists have been testing for<br />
the virus since 2006.
"Finding largemouth bass virus in smallmouth bass is not surprising, as this<br />
virus is known to be carried by other fish such as smallmouth bass, pickerel<br />
and some sunfish species," said Dr. Joel Bader, N.H. Fish and Game Fish<br />
Pathologist. "As we continue to test more bass from Lake Winnipesaukee, it<br />
is likely that we will find largemouth bass virus in largemouth bass, as<br />
well."
Largemouth bass virus is one of more than 100 naturally occurring viruses in<br />
fish. Fish with largemouth bass virus are safe to handle and eat, as the<br />
virus does not infect warm-blooded animals, including humans.Â
Presence of the virus in a fish population does not necessarily mean fish<br />
will develop LMBV disease, which can cause them to die or show signs of<br />
being in poor health. Most fish carrying largemouth bass virus appear<br />
completely normal, but largemouth bass kills sometimes result in waters that<br />
test positive for LMBV. These fish kills generally occur during the summer<br />
months, indicating that warmer water temperatures may be a factor. In cases<br />
where the virus has triggered disease, dying bass may be near the water<br />
surface and have difficultly swimming and remaining upright. The virus<br />
attacks the swim bladder, sometimes causing bass to lose their equilibrium<br />
and appear bloated. Largemouth bass between 12 and 15 inches appear to be<br />
most susceptible to the disease. The occurrence of lesions or black spots is<br />
not a sign that a fish has LMBV.Â
The virus appears to result in disease when largemouth bass are stressed --<br />
warm water temperatures, low oxygen, poor water quality, and frequent<br />
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<br />
into a disease. There is currently no cure or preventative for LMBV, and it<br />
can live in water for up to seven days. It is known that the virus may be<br />
transmitted through water, by fish consuming infected prey, or through<br />
direct and indirect contact in boat live wells.
No evidence currently exists that the virus has caused long-term impacts to<br />
a fishery; some data indicate that an infected fishery will recover over a<br />
period of years.Â
"Based on the information we have about the virus, it is unlikely that<br />
largemouth bass virus poses a serious threat to the long-term health of New<br />
Hampshire's bass resources," said Gabe Gries, N.H. Fish and Game fisheries<br />
biologist and Warmwater Project Leader. "However, because the virus can<br />
sometimes kill or negatively impact largemouth bass and can be spread or<br />
influenced by anglers, it is important to test fish to learn where the virus<br />
is present in New Hampshire, inform anglers about the virus and try to<br />
minimize its spread.Â
"It is of the utmost importance for anglers to help keep this virus from<br />
spreading by cleaning their equipment after use and by not transferring<br />
fish, including baitfish, from one waterbody to another," added Gries.
Anglers can help minimize the impact and spread of largemouth bass virus by<br />
following these suggested guidelines:
* Drain water from bilge and live wells and clean boats, trailer and<br />
other equipment between fishing trips with a solution of bleach to water<br />
(1:100 ratio) and let air-dry.
* Use a solution of bleach to water (1:100 ratio) to clean live wells and<br />
let air-dry.
* Never transfer fish or fish parts from one body of water to another. In<br />
fact, New Hampshire law prohibits transfer of live fish from one waterbody<br />
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<br />
much as possible.
* Conduct fishing tournaments during cooler weather, so fish caught will<br />
not be as stressed.
* Reduce daily bass tournament bag limits or use a "paper format" during<br />
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<br />
in New Hampshire," said Dr. Bader. "We will soon be expanding our testing<br />
for this virus in other waters, and ask the public for their cooperation in<br />
reporting any fish kills, particularly those involving bass."
Largemouth bass virus was first detected in Florida in 1991 and gained<br />
national attention in 1995 when it caused a largemouth bass kill in South<br />
Carolina. The virus was originally thought to be restricted to the southern<br />
U.S., but it has recently been detected in some Northeastern states,<br />
including Vermont (Lake Champlain) and Connecticut.Â
For more information on LMBV in New Hampshire, visit<br />
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/..._Virus.htm, or<br />
contact Dr. Joel Bader, Fish Pathologist, New Hampshire Fish and Game<br />
Department, Region 2, 200 Main Street, New Hampton, NH 03256 --<br />
603-744-5470, jbader@nhfgd.org.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state's<br />
fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit<br />
http://www.FishNH.com.
positive for largemouth bass virus (LMBV), with initial testing showing LMBV<br />
to be present in a sample of smallmouth bass. The infected fish were<br />
collected as part of the Winnipesaukee bass tagging study being conducted by<br />
the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Previously, LMBV had not been<br />
detected in New Hampshire; Fish and Game biologists have been testing for<br />
the virus since 2006.
"Finding largemouth bass virus in smallmouth bass is not surprising, as this<br />
virus is known to be carried by other fish such as smallmouth bass, pickerel<br />
and some sunfish species," said Dr. Joel Bader, N.H. Fish and Game Fish<br />
Pathologist. "As we continue to test more bass from Lake Winnipesaukee, it<br />
is likely that we will find largemouth bass virus in largemouth bass, as<br />
well."
Largemouth bass virus is one of more than 100 naturally occurring viruses in<br />
fish. Fish with largemouth bass virus are safe to handle and eat, as the<br />
virus does not infect warm-blooded animals, including humans.Â
Presence of the virus in a fish population does not necessarily mean fish<br />
will develop LMBV disease, which can cause them to die or show signs of<br />
being in poor health. Most fish carrying largemouth bass virus appear<br />
completely normal, but largemouth bass kills sometimes result in waters that<br />
test positive for LMBV. These fish kills generally occur during the summer<br />
months, indicating that warmer water temperatures may be a factor. In cases<br />
where the virus has triggered disease, dying bass may be near the water<br />
surface and have difficultly swimming and remaining upright. The virus<br />
attacks the swim bladder, sometimes causing bass to lose their equilibrium<br />
and appear bloated. Largemouth bass between 12 and 15 inches appear to be<br />
most susceptible to the disease. The occurrence of lesions or black spots is<br />
not a sign that a fish has LMBV.Â
The virus appears to result in disease when largemouth bass are stressed --<br />
warm water temperatures, low oxygen, poor water quality, and frequent<br />
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<br />
into a disease. There is currently no cure or preventative for LMBV, and it<br />
can live in water for up to seven days. It is known that the virus may be<br />
transmitted through water, by fish consuming infected prey, or through<br />
direct and indirect contact in boat live wells.
No evidence currently exists that the virus has caused long-term impacts to<br />
a fishery; some data indicate that an infected fishery will recover over a<br />
period of years.Â
"Based on the information we have about the virus, it is unlikely that<br />
largemouth bass virus poses a serious threat to the long-term health of New<br />
Hampshire's bass resources," said Gabe Gries, N.H. Fish and Game fisheries<br />
biologist and Warmwater Project Leader. "However, because the virus can<br />
sometimes kill or negatively impact largemouth bass and can be spread or<br />
influenced by anglers, it is important to test fish to learn where the virus<br />
is present in New Hampshire, inform anglers about the virus and try to<br />
minimize its spread.Â
"It is of the utmost importance for anglers to help keep this virus from<br />
spreading by cleaning their equipment after use and by not transferring<br />
fish, including baitfish, from one waterbody to another," added Gries.
Anglers can help minimize the impact and spread of largemouth bass virus by<br />
following these suggested guidelines:
* Drain water from bilge and live wells and clean boats, trailer and<br />
other equipment between fishing trips with a solution of bleach to water<br />
(1:100 ratio) and let air-dry.
* Use a solution of bleach to water (1:100 ratio) to clean live wells and<br />
let air-dry.
* Never transfer fish or fish parts from one body of water to another. In<br />
fact, New Hampshire law prohibits transfer of live fish from one waterbody<br />
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<br />
much as possible.
* Conduct fishing tournaments during cooler weather, so fish caught will<br />
not be as stressed.
* Reduce daily bass tournament bag limits or use a "paper format" during<br />
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<br />
in New Hampshire," said Dr. Bader. "We will soon be expanding our testing<br />
for this virus in other waters, and ask the public for their cooperation in<br />
reporting any fish kills, particularly those involving bass."
Largemouth bass virus was first detected in Florida in 1991 and gained<br />
national attention in 1995 when it caused a largemouth bass kill in South<br />
Carolina. The virus was originally thought to be restricted to the southern<br />
U.S., but it has recently been detected in some Northeastern states,<br />
including Vermont (Lake Champlain) and Connecticut.Â
For more information on LMBV in New Hampshire, visit<br />
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/..._Virus.htm, or<br />
contact Dr. Joel Bader, Fish Pathologist, New Hampshire Fish and Game<br />
Department, Region 2, 200 Main Street, New Hampton, NH 03256 --<br />
603-744-5470, jbader@nhfgd.org.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state's<br />
fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit<br />
http://www.FishNH.com.