Neilio

Fingers crossed there wont be any cases of KHV this summer, but on average there seem to be about three cases per year in the UK. But what can we do as concerned anglers I ask you?

As the virus cannot survive on a dry host (landing/keepnet) do those who use 'stink bags' remove their nets and dry them out? I would like to think so and hope everyone who has them washes out the bag too.
On visiting a fishery some (not all) may have net dips. Do you dip them and wash them out properly? I know of a few fisheries in my area that do not have a dip and let you use your own nets !!
Decoy Lakes in Whittlesey make anglers use the fisheries landing/keepnets and are even very strict about keeping the different lakes nets apart too (very sensible).
If I had my own fishery this is how I would approach the KHV threat.
Even if the initial nets costs seem high the replacement of stock would be far higher.
Let alone putting the confidence back into anglers who would probably stay away in future threatening the fishery altogether.
What is your view on the subject?

Neilio.

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High Flyer Lake Website

jethro

Also does freezing ground bait & paste mixed with lake water kill the virus or does it just lay dormant in the mix till next used on a different venue.
I'm sure fish farmer will post his views.

Brian G

Fishery only nets is posibly fine, for those that ban keepnets other than on matches, however there are still venues that dont, the administration of nets on those venues could be quite difficult, Yes I know that deposits can be taken but what if the guy thats holding the deposit has gone missing as can happen on a one man run fishery with no cafe/office facility, secondly theres a quality of net issue I would be not a happy bunny if I had 50lb of fish in a net or more where the venue allows to find the net then bursts open whilst removing it from the water. Yes this has happened not to me I might add. Landing nets are another problem no point in having fishery keep nets if you dont have to use their landing net.
Net dips generally are a waste of time on some fisheries almost useless, a quick dip and quick rinse does nothing, unless its fishery operator controlled you might as well forget it.
You have pointed out the best way to combat the transfer of KHV and that is dry nets or for all nets to be laid out behind the anglers till 5 minutes before the all in. Ultra violet rays will effectively kill the bacteria, even on wet dull days.
If I owned a fishery I would ban the use of those stink boxes, theres more than a few wet nets come out of them, by anglers who know better but care less.
KHV will run its course thats for sure, what does seem to be relevant is the fisheries that contacted KHV do not get a re-occurance, Ok it may happen but as of yet no. Forgot the one about waters that have never seen an angler but still have KHV.
The downside of introducing too many rules or restrictions can lead to a increase of day ticket prices, some one has too pay, increase in day ticket prices might then lead to a down turn in sales.

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justin case

Neil thats just the ones we hear abot

Concrete all the puddles

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droid

When any novel virus comes along it always has a devastating effect upon a vulnerable population.
As time goes by, the population develops a immunity to the virus. The survivors breed and pass on their immunity. So eventually the effect of the new virus lessens.
This has happened with measles in humans for example. Introduce measles to a human population that's never seen it and it's often fatal. Here it's just a relatively trivial illness.

Mind, I'm not a fishery owner possibly going out of business while nature takes it's course.

ABBO62

I think alot of fish carry this virus and have no ill effects,its like Droid said its a case of survival of the fittest! What doesnt kill, makes you stronger!
Best way to combat it is to dry nets behind your peg and put them in 10 mins before the start.Trouble with net dips is many anglers wont use them unless they are stood over while they do it!

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I keep ar kid in a basket!

Poleyyyy (steve)

Freezing will not kill the virus just put it into a dormant state till it is warmed up again then it becomes active again

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A bad days fishing is better than a good day at work?????

walsallpaul

hi
the only way to stop it is
1,fisherys buy proper stocks not cheap alternatives
2,make sure all nets are dryed properly
3,my favourite one is just stock f1's they say they cant contract the virus.
cheers
paul

fish farmer

Interesting thread guys.

Supplying all nets for use by visiting anglers is one way to help prevent the spread of the disease, but ask yourselves this - how many people dry their reel lines and pole rigs in the sun?? ! Also, the suns rays are harmful to bacteria as BrianG says, but is it as effective against viruses? It has yet to be proved whether the virus can be transferred on nets, wet or dry - CEFAS was running tests on this theory, but we have had no word of results yet.

Fisheries that have net dips should use VIRKON AQUATIC. This disinfectant is effective against KHV and SVC. Most disinfectants, however have a 20 minute contact time - and not many anglers want to wait 20 mins before having to rinse their net. Hence, yes I agree, net dips are a waste of time. We dry our nets when possible between uses and this is done outside in the sun, so not every day is a good drying day!!

As far as fish carrying the disease - most fisheries that have had KHV have suffered massive losses and, where yes, some fish may have antibodies, it is beleived that the disease can become pathogenic again when conditions are right, which explains why some fisheries have had the problem for 2 or 3 years running and why CEFAS prohibits the movement of carp on of off such sites for three years or more.

I don't think freezing groundbait would kill the virus in groundbait (if it were present) but stick it in the microwave to thaw it and bye bye viruses and bacteria!

The virus was first observed in the UK ten years ago in a consignment of koi and a lot of anglers blame the ornamental trade for it's spread. As the occurances of the disease in fisheries have only really appeared in the last 3 or 4 years, I have other suspicions that I can't air on here, except to say I wouldn't touch 'KHV resistent' carp, if they are offered for sale, with a barge pole!! Remember, it is illegal in UK to vaccinate against this virus as it is not licenced, therefore such fish have to be imports. Why the hell do we need to import carp anyway?? English fish farms are more than capable of producing required stock. Goldfish also have their own strain of the virus, so I would avoid any kind of brown goldfish and goldfish hybrids.

Brian, you are right about stink bags - worst item of fishing luggage ever invented. Before their introduction, we would take nets home and HAVE to dry them, lest they stunk out the garage or shed!! I believe many anglers won't bother and just take their nets to the next fishery. Forget about viruses, this could be a bacterial disaster. Many, many fisheries lose stock in the spring - nothing to do with KHV, but bacterial ulcers and the motile strain of said bacteria could quite easily last on a damp net - possibly for weeks!!

Anyway, I feel a rant coming on, so I'll leave it for now. Just dry your nets well between sessions guys.

fish farmer

'They' say a lot of things Paul ! Hasn't been proven yet and as I say goldish have their own strain of KHV, so what is an F1? It is said they are a hybrid between a goldfish and a carp. Those fish could be producing a hybrid virus!!! All theory, but if a cow disease and an avian flu virus can mutate to affect humans.... who knows!

Who says that cheap alternatives are to blame? I could sell you a carp on a 'deal' at a relatively cheap price.... doesn't mean there is anything wrong with it. You just have to be careful what or from whom you are buying. I have aired my views verbally about the most probable source of the virus in the fisheries industry, as have many of my collegues in the business and in the EA - and comments made in the Angling Times have provoked a reaction from that possible source - but I ain't gonna write anything down