Implementation Strategy for Fish Disease Control Order

[Hamilton Reef]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2007

CONTACT: James Dexter 269-685-6851, Todd Grischke 517-373-6762 or Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014

DNR Announces Implementation Strategy for Fish Disease Control Order

A series of regulations designed to help slow the spread of fish diseases in Michigan, in particular Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS), will begin to be implemented on Thursday, June 28, according to Department of Natural Resources fisheries officials. The regulations provide a set of best management practices for anglers, boaters and the bait industry, and will be phased in over time.

“The DNR recognizes that these regulations are complex and will take time for our anglers, boaters and the supporting bait industry to fully understand them,” said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries. “To fully involve our angling community, we intend to implement this order in a set of steps over the next few months.”

The DNR will focus on educating the angling and boating communities and bait industry over the next two to three months - focusing on prevention and education efforts, not enforcement. The following steps that directly affect anglers and boaters will be initiated on June 28:

* Anglers and boaters should empty live wells and bilge water upon removing a boat from the water.

* Anglers are asked to start using bait only on a hook and to dispose of all bait when leaving a body of water. Anglers should keep in mind that the regulations only apply to the fish species listed in the Fish Disease Control Order, which is posted on the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing.

* Anglers should be sure to release fish that are from catch and release angling either in that water or in connected waters where fish could directly swim.

* Anglers are asked to start learning the Fish Disease Management Areas and where baitfish can be used. If the bait shop receipt indicates the management area where the bait is from, anglers are asked to start using the bait in the appropriate area.

The following steps will be initiated on June 28 with the wholesale and retail bait industry to start informing anglers where they can use bait and to start getting certified bait:

* Wholesale bait dealers are asked to start informing purchasers of whether their bait is certified disease-free or if it is not yet certified, and what Fish Disease Management Area it came from so the retail bait shops can start informing anglers.

* For bait species on the Prohibited Species List, retail bait shops are asked to start informing anglers whether the bait is certified or uncertified. If the bait is known to be uncertified and the Fish Disease Management Area where it was collected is known, bait shops are asked to inform anglers on where it can be used. Initially, it just needs to be noted on the receipt or attached to the receipt from the store. The full receipt will not be required initially.

* Licensed bait businesses that wish to certify their bait can start the certification process according to the instructions that will be posted on the DNR Web site (www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing) and sent in the U.S. Mail to all licensed bait businesses on June 25.

* Licensed bait businesses that have previously certified bait in stock can move ahead to have those supplies certified by sending the appropriate fish disease inspection information along with a request for certification to the Michigan DNR Fisheries Division, P.O. Box 30446, Lansing, MI 48909, Attention: Bait Certification.

“The DNR is not requesting that wholesalers or retail bait shops to dispose of the bait they currently have in their inventories. If they know where it came from, we ask them to simply start informing anglers of what Fish Disease Management Area it came from so anglers can start making informed decisions,” said DNR Fisheries Division Chief Kelley Smith.

During the weeks of July 16 and 23, the DNR will be reviewing all applications for certifying facilities to hold baitfish listed in the order. After receiving needed information from wholesale and retail bait shops that wish to have baitfish certified in their facilities, the DNR will conduct necessary facility inspections or conduct telephone interviews to complete the certification review process. Once the application reviews are complete, the DNR will send out facility certification letters and will provide recommended fish disease certification strategies for each facility. As fish disease inspections results are submitted, the DNR will be issuing baitfish certifications for those lots that are tested and shown to be disease-free.

By Aug. 17, licensed wholesale bait businesses and retail bait shops are requested to start providing customers complete receipts that show all the needed information to inform anglers on where they can use their bait and to allow for the tracking of any fish disease problems in their bait supply. By this time, it is expected that certified disease-free bait should start being widely available for retail bait shops.

The DNR expects to fully implement the Fish Disease Control Order by Sept.15 and will be placing information on the DNR Fisheries Division Web site (www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing) to assist the public in understanding these regulations.

“These regulations will make a large difference as we work to slow the spread of fish disease and make our anglers, boaters and the bait industry full partners in protecting our valuable resources,” Smith said. “This is a real opportunity to show how our users can help us in this task.”

The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural resources for current and future generations.