Post by Nittro on Oct 18, 2011 18:33:22 GMT -5
The Ministry of Natural Resources has been receiving numerous reports of fish and bird die-offs in south-eastern Georgian Bay. This may be the result of botulism and we have included some information on this below and in the attachments is some information on this situation.
Eastern Georgian Bay Fish and Bird Die-off
• The Ministry of Natural Resources was first notified on August 22, 2011 of a die-off of eight lake sturgeon and one carp in southeastern Georgian Bay of Lake Huron.
• Since that time sporadic reports of dead animals have been received but have increased in number and distribution in recent weeks.
• The reported affected area now ranges from Collingwood in the south to the Parry Sound area in the north.
• Wasaga Beach Provincial Park staff has disposed of approximately 120 dead sturgeon to date. In addition, dead channel catfish, freshwater drum, carp, lake whitefish and one largemouth bass have been reported.
• Reported dead waterfowl include loons, mallards, grebes, terns, mergansers, gulls, cormorants and Canada geese. In total, 300+ dead birds have been reported.
• The cause of the die-off is unknown but botulism is typically the cause of this type of occurrence.
• One sturgeon sample and a grebe were sent for analysis and although botulism could not be ruled out, the results were inconclusive.
• Additional samples were sent for analysis on October 6, 2011 and we are waiting for results.
• Only fresh samples of very recently deceased animals are suitable to test for diseases and botulism.
• In recent years botulism outbreaks have been more common in the Great Lakes, primarily impacting bird populations, although some species of bottom-dwelling fish, including lake sturgeon, have suffered localized die-offs.
• Botulism is a serious neuromuscular illness caused by a toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.
• The threat to human health is minimal although dead birds and fish should not be eaten.
• Shoreline property owners are advised that they are responsible for the cleanup of dead fish and birds from their shorelines. They should wear protective gear such as gloves and the dead fish or birds can be buried on their property or put out for municipal garbage pick-up.
• Carcasses removed from the beach should be placed in heavy plastic bags to avoid the potential spread of botulism-containing maggots and disposed in a landfill.
• Pets should be kept away from any dead animals on the beach.
• Zebra and quagga mussel beds may play a role in creating habitat for the bacterium that causes botulism. Bottom feeding fish can come into contract with the botulism and pass it up the food chain.
• The public can report incidents of fish die-offs by calling the MNR Fish Die-off reporting line at 1-866-929-0994 or the MNR Tips line at 1-877-TIPS-MNR (1-877-847-7667).
Eastern Georgian Bay Fish and Bird Die-off
• The Ministry of Natural Resources was first notified on August 22, 2011 of a die-off of eight lake sturgeon and one carp in southeastern Georgian Bay of Lake Huron.
• Since that time sporadic reports of dead animals have been received but have increased in number and distribution in recent weeks.
• The reported affected area now ranges from Collingwood in the south to the Parry Sound area in the north.
• Wasaga Beach Provincial Park staff has disposed of approximately 120 dead sturgeon to date. In addition, dead channel catfish, freshwater drum, carp, lake whitefish and one largemouth bass have been reported.
• Reported dead waterfowl include loons, mallards, grebes, terns, mergansers, gulls, cormorants and Canada geese. In total, 300+ dead birds have been reported.
• The cause of the die-off is unknown but botulism is typically the cause of this type of occurrence.
• One sturgeon sample and a grebe were sent for analysis and although botulism could not be ruled out, the results were inconclusive.
• Additional samples were sent for analysis on October 6, 2011 and we are waiting for results.
• Only fresh samples of very recently deceased animals are suitable to test for diseases and botulism.
• In recent years botulism outbreaks have been more common in the Great Lakes, primarily impacting bird populations, although some species of bottom-dwelling fish, including lake sturgeon, have suffered localized die-offs.
• Botulism is a serious neuromuscular illness caused by a toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.
• The threat to human health is minimal although dead birds and fish should not be eaten.
• Shoreline property owners are advised that they are responsible for the cleanup of dead fish and birds from their shorelines. They should wear protective gear such as gloves and the dead fish or birds can be buried on their property or put out for municipal garbage pick-up.
• Carcasses removed from the beach should be placed in heavy plastic bags to avoid the potential spread of botulism-containing maggots and disposed in a landfill.
• Pets should be kept away from any dead animals on the beach.
• Zebra and quagga mussel beds may play a role in creating habitat for the bacterium that causes botulism. Bottom feeding fish can come into contract with the botulism and pass it up the food chain.
• The public can report incidents of fish die-offs by calling the MNR Fish Die-off reporting line at 1-866-929-0994 or the MNR Tips line at 1-877-TIPS-MNR (1-877-847-7667).
