Summary of Current Control Measures to Limit the Spread of VHS in Ontario

Viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) is a viral disease previously found in several species of freshwater and saltwater fish in Europe, Japan, and on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America. VHS has been discovered in fish in the lower Great Lakes. It was first identified in Lake Ontario in 2005 and there have been large die-offs of fish attributed to this virus.

VHS does not pose a threat to human health but it does pose a threat to Ontario’s fish stocks. Fish with the virus are safe to eat.

Ontario's Response

Ontario has developed a comprehensive, ecologically based response to the virus. Under the new management strategy, the following measures came into effect on March 29, 2007:

MNR has established two categories of waters that are relevant to managing the potential spread of VHS: an area that will constitute the VHS Management Zone, and the waters within that area that are VHS positive waters. The purpose of these new conditions is to attempt to slow the spread of the virus and thereby protect fish populations.

Definitions:

• VHS Positive Waters: the waters of Lakes Ontario, Erie and Huron (including Georgian Bay), their connecting waterways and adjacent tributaries up to the first impassable barrier for all fish species.
• VHS Management Zone: The area bounded by the provincial road network shown on the attached map which encompasses the waters defined as VHS positive waters as per the above definition.

Maps of the VHS Management Zone are available from MNR field offices.

Commercial Bait Fish Harvest and Transfers

In early January 2007, the ministry announced measures to control the harvest and transport of live bait used by anglers while ice fishing across Ontario. Commercial bait licences were issued with conditions to reflect these controls.

On March 29, 2007 the Minister announced that these measures will be modified in response to new information about the distribution of the virus, and to allow bait harvesters and dealers in the virus-positive zone to resume limited operation.

Transport of live commercial bait fish harvested in the VHS Management Zone out of the VHS Management Zone is prohibited. Commercial baitfish licensees must maintain records of baitfish harvested within the VHS Management Zone separately from bait fish harvested outside of the VHS management zone.

In limited circumstances where there is a very low risk of spreading VHS by the movement of bait, approval can be given to move live fish out of, or through, the VHS Management Zone. This authorization will be subject to a risk assessment by MNR and more detailed reporting.

Fishways and Fish Transfers Over Barriers

All fishways will be operated and existing manual transfers of fish over barriers into the same watershed will continue for 2007.

Wild Spawn Collection – Salmon and Trout Species

Eggs from virus-positive waters may be collected if all the eggs are disinfected according to the ministry’s protocol.

All other spawn collection from virus-positive waters will only be allowed if the eggs go to a facility in virus-positive waters and all fish in the facility are stocked back into virus-positive waters.

Wild Spawn Collection – Walleye

There is currently no approved disinfection process for walleye eggs.

Walleye spawn may only be collected from virus-positive waters if the fish are stocked into virus-positive waters and the receiving fish culture facility is located in a virus-positive zone.

The ministry will make efforts to supply virus-free walleye eggs to partner non-profit groups.

Fish Stocking and Transfers

Any eggs, or fish cultured from eggs, collected from virus-positive waters will be allowed to be stocked outside of virus-positive waters only if the facility can be certified virus-free. This does not apply to fish already in the hatcheries from collections made last spring.