Media release: Lake Hume redfin investigation underway
27 June 12 - Victoria Fisheries
The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is working with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to investigate the cause of sick redfin in Lake Hume.
Recreational fishers were first to notice that some caught redfin had red marks or shallow lesions on the skin of the fish.
Initial frozen samples submitted to the NSW veterinary laboratory suggested a general non-infectious dermatitis condition may be responsible.
More recently live redfin were sourced from recreational fishers and were forwarded to the DPI’s animal health laboratories at Attwood, in Melbourne
Principal Aquatic Veterinarian at DPI’s Biosecurity Victoria, Tracey Bradley, said preliminary findings from the pathology testing have ruled out bacteria or fungi as the cause of the skin lesions.
“DPI is now looking at pursuing other potential causes but this will take some time,” Dr Bradley said.
The EPA will also be taking water samples to determine if there is evidence of any pollutants that may have contributed to the unusual appearance of the fish.
As a precautionary measure, a spokesperson from the Department of Health advised that wild caught redfin that look unhealthy should not be consumed.
Redfin sold commercially in the marketplace is not affected.
Recreational fishers catching affected redfin should dispose of them humanely and not return them to the water.
(http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0004/157189/varieties/resized.jpg)
Anglers are warned not to eat unhealthy looking redfin