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General Category => News Views & Press Releases => Topic started by: Editor on September 05, 2012, 08:26:12 PM

Title: Lake Hume fish investigation rules out infection
Post by: Editor on September 05, 2012, 08:26:12 PM
Lake Hume fish investigation rules out infection

Media release: 31 August 12 - Victoria Fisheries Dept

An extensive investigation into sick redfin found in Lake Hume earlier this year has ruled out an infection as the cause of their condition.

Over the winter months, recreational anglers at Lake Hume reported a number of redfin in their catches affected by a gill and skin condition.

As a result of these reports, an investigation was undertaken by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries, the Environment Protection Authority and CSIRO.

DPI Director of Fisheries Management Travis Dowling said the investigation had established dermatitis and chronic branchitis as the cause – not a viral infection.

Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin while chronic branchitis is an inflammation of the gills.

“The EPA’s investigation into water quality, including the testing of potential water toxins and harmful algae, found nothing that would explain the redfins’ condition,” Mr Dowling said.

“DPI has not received further reports of affected redfin over the past few weeks.”

Mr Dowling said this week DPI had received one report of a single yellow belly from Lake Hume that appeared to be affected by some kind of skin condition.

“The report of one affected fish does not necessarily mean there is cause for concern, however DPI will closely monitor the situation and urges anglers who find anything unusual to report it to DPI on 136 186,” he said.