04-21-2007, 01:33 AM
[size 1]Annapolis, MD - Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries officials are reminding anglers of steps they can take to help reduce the spread of whirling disease occurring in trout in certain waters in western Maryland. On Friday, April 20, staff will be posting informational signs along Bear Creek in Garrett County, which has tested positive for the parasite known to cause the disease.
The whirling disease parasite was introduced into the eastern United States from Europe in the late 1950s and is currently known to exist in 24 states. It was first discovered in Maryland in 1995 in the North Branch Potomac River. Although harmless to humans, the parasite can be fatal to trout and is particularly harmful to rainbow trout. Once infected, the parasite attacks the fish's skeletal tissue, resulting in severe internal damage and causing it to exhibit the erratic "whirling" swimming behavior for which the disease is named.
"While certainly this is cause for concern, at the moment, there is no cause for great alarm," said DNR Fisheries Director Howard King. "Anglers need to be reminded to practice responsible stewardship and to be attentive to updates from the department as we work together to address this serious situation."
To reduce the likelihood of spreading the spores of the organism, DNR is asking anglers not to move caught fish from one stream to another, not to discard carcasses in the stream or on the stream banks, and to remove mud from boots and equipment before moving from one stream to another.
Maryland began ramping up production at hatcheries and rearing stations in other parts of the state, and augmenting stock with the purchase of certified disease-free fish after the parasite was discovered in two state facilities in Western Maryland this past winter.
Spring stocking updates and further information on whirling disease and ways to prevent its spread can be found at www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/.
Media Contact
John Wald JWald@dnr.state.md.us [/size]
[signature]
The whirling disease parasite was introduced into the eastern United States from Europe in the late 1950s and is currently known to exist in 24 states. It was first discovered in Maryland in 1995 in the North Branch Potomac River. Although harmless to humans, the parasite can be fatal to trout and is particularly harmful to rainbow trout. Once infected, the parasite attacks the fish's skeletal tissue, resulting in severe internal damage and causing it to exhibit the erratic "whirling" swimming behavior for which the disease is named.
"While certainly this is cause for concern, at the moment, there is no cause for great alarm," said DNR Fisheries Director Howard King. "Anglers need to be reminded to practice responsible stewardship and to be attentive to updates from the department as we work together to address this serious situation."
To reduce the likelihood of spreading the spores of the organism, DNR is asking anglers not to move caught fish from one stream to another, not to discard carcasses in the stream or on the stream banks, and to remove mud from boots and equipment before moving from one stream to another.
Maryland began ramping up production at hatcheries and rearing stations in other parts of the state, and augmenting stock with the purchase of certified disease-free fish after the parasite was discovered in two state facilities in Western Maryland this past winter.
Spring stocking updates and further information on whirling disease and ways to prevent its spread can be found at www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/.
Media Contact
John Wald JWald@dnr.state.md.us [/size]
[signature]