SACRAMENTO–A tiny reces of the fish world was on the verge of experiencing a localized pandemic of its own- as if the worldwide spread of Coronavirus amongst humen( and the associated political discourse) hasn’t dominated headlines for the purposes of this report( and others ).
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife( CDFW) announced that the committee euthanized trout at three fish hatcheries in Southern California and the Eastern Sierras. State officials decided to euthanize the trout after a bacterial eruption changed 3.2 million fish, it was announced on July 20.
Mojave River Hatchery, Black Rock Hatchery and Fish Springs Hatchery were the three hatcheries where fish were euthanized. The hatcheries equip fish to CDFW’s South Coast and Inland Desert regions.
CDFW staff said here today action would “have a profound effect on CDFW’s ability to stock fish for anglers in[ Southern California and Inland Desert] spheres in the near future.”
“Euthanizing our hatchery stocks was not policy decisions we comes down to thinly, but it had to be done, ” Jay Rowan, an environmental program manager for CDFW hatcheries, said in a released evidence. “This bacterium is resistant to all the treatment alternatives we have available for fish. The fish losings were getting worse despite our therapies. The best alternative we have available that will get us back to embed fish from these hatcheries in the shortest timeline is to clear the raceways, thoroughly disinfect the facilities, and start over.”
The three hatcheries were placed under quarantine for more than one month, granting pathologists and hatchery staff to conduct tests and research potential therapy options.
“The outbreak of Lactococcus garvieae, which is similar to streptococcus, has been reported in cattle and poultry farms as well as fresh and saltwater fish and shellfish hatcheries all regions of the world, but had never before been detected in fish in California, ” CDFW staff said. “Research of treatment options employed under trout farms in Europe and other parts of the world show there is almost no chance for successfully eliminating the bacteria from a equipment without depopulation and disinfection.”
Common manifestations are associated with L. garvieae include projection hearts, lethargic/ inconsistent float and increased mortality. Fish can also be asymptomatic and register no signed of infection, depending upon water temperature and stress, are consistent with CDFW staff.
“Fish-to-human transmission of this bacteria is rare and unlikely but there are several documented instances associated with immunocompromised parties ingesting polluted raw fish and unpasteurized milk makes, ” CDFW staff stated.
Eastern Sierra’s Hot Creek Hatchery has tested negative for L. garvieae and is still providing plants for eight waterways in Inyo and Mono provinces, according to CDFW staff.
“CDFW is in the process of developing a modified stocking plan to reallocate fish from central and northern California hatcheries to a small number of high-pitched angler apply, easily accessible sprays in geographically different parts of the eastern Sierra and Southern California, ” CDFW staff stated.
Anyone who has questions about L. garvieae can reach out to CDFW staff via email at hatcherybackteriainfo @wildlife. ca.gov.
https://www.fishrapnews.com/features/bacterial-outbreak-forces-state-to-euthanize-hatchery-fish/