History of Walleye Culture and Stocking in Michigan & VH

Topics concerning muskellunge and fisheries research, diseases, stocking and management.
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Hamilton Reef
Posts: 1156
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2005 9:43 am
Location: Montague, MI on White River

History of Walleye Culture and Stocking in Michigan & VH

Post by Hamilton Reef » Tue Dec 14, 2010 8:04 pm

History of Walleye Culture and Stocking in Michigan with the Emergence of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia in the Great Lakes Basin

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/W ... 0491_7.pdf

This paper was originally developed by Patrick Hanchin and Tim Cwalinski, Co-chairs of the Fisheries Division’s Walleye Committee. Technical advice and detail have been provided by Dr. Mohamed Faisal, Michigan State University – Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory and Martha Wolgamood, Supervisor of the Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery and Statewide Fish Health Coordinator. The paper has been updated and edited by Gary Whelan, Manager of the Fish Production Program for Fisheries Division.

Snippet: Other Coolwater Species of Fish – As in 2010, there will be no production of northern pike in 2011 since there is no information about effects of VHSv on this species. Muskellunge rearing will continue at levels similar to 2010. We will also begin the development of a Great Lakes (spotted) muskellunge broodstock using strict biosecurity measures. Since lake sturgeon are likely immune to VHSv, there will be no limitations on production. All other brood stocks of coolwater species will continue to be tested for VHSv as in 2010, and all fish produced will be inspected for fish pathogens including VHSv.

Hamilton Reef
Posts: 1156
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2005 9:43 am
Location: Montague, MI on White River

Post by Hamilton Reef » Tue Dec 14, 2010 8:28 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 14, 2010

Contacts: Gary Whelan 517-373-1280 or Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014

DNRE Returning Walleye Fry Production to Historic Levels

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment has begun gearing up to return hatchery production of walleyes to historic levels.

The DNRE plans to take some 50 million eggs this spring to produce fry for pond-rearing and direct stocking, an eight-fold increase over the last two years.

Since 2006, the DNRE has cut back on most of its walleye rearing activities because of the presence of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) in the brood-stock waters. Now, after several years of testing, a technique has been found to disinfect walleye eggs and prevent spreading VHS. As a result, the DNRE will now resume large-scale rearing and stocking of walleyes.

“In a perfect world, we wouldn’t have cut our walleye fry production,” DNRE Director Rebecca Humphries said. “But the specter of bringing VHS into our hatchery system or transferring VHS to new waters was just too risky. The ecosystem is constantly changing and our management practices must change with it. We are pleased that an effective treatment for walleye eggs against VHS has been found and we’re ramping up our production accordingly.”

The DNRE expects it to take two years to return to full production of walleye fry. A number of the rearing ponds, which have been idled for the last several years, are in need of maintenance before they can be brought back on line for production.

Nonetheless, the DNRE expects to produce at least 80 percent of the total capacity for walleye fry in 2011 and be back to full production in 2012. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing.

The DNRE is committed to the conservation, protection, management and accessible use of the state’s environment, natural resources and related economic interests for current and future generations. To learn more, go to www.michigan.gov/dnre.

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