Information on Micobacterium
and Other Water Borne Problems
in the Chesapeake Bay
Micobacterium
Micobacterium is a serious problem that anglers
should be aware of. Information is still being studied and the situation
is not fully understood at the present time. The disease affects the
health of affected fish and can cause infections in humans.
The VIMS page recommends this:
"There is a slight
potential for human infection from handling striped bass infected with
M. shottsii and other mycobacteria. Concern is warranted because M.
shottsii is closely related to M. marinum, a species known to pass from
infected fish to humans via handling. (M. marinum has also been isolated
from some Chesapeake Bay striped bass).
Anglers should thus:
- return any fish with skin lesions to the water
- wear gloves when handling striped bass
- take particular care if they have a cut, scrape, or abrasion on their hands or arms, and
- wash thoroughly with soap and water after coming into contact with fish or open water. "
The American Littoral Society advises the same and warns
against eating or handling the fish. They also request pictures of infected fish if possible.
VIMS has instituted a fish tagging program to study striped bass
infected with micobacteriosis. If you catch a striped bass or "rockfish"
with a green tag, please call 1-866-845-3379
Micobacterium Links
2006 updates on the Micobacterium threat
Micobacterium on the Rise
Inside Baltimore
Striped Bass Illness Baffles Scientists
Our Rockfish Need Clean Water
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Striped Bass Page
Virginia Institute of Marine Science Mycobacterium Page
Stripers Forever
Pfiesteria
Pfiesteria is another serious problem that anglers
should be aware of. Information is still being studied and the situation
is not fully understood at the present time. The disease affects the
health of affected fish and may infect humans.
Pfiestieria Links
http://www.pfiesteria.org/
http://www.mdsg.umd.edu/fish-health/
http://www.mdsg.umd.edu/pfiesteria/
http://www.usgs.gov/public/press/public_affairs/press_releases/pr355m.html
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/bay/cblife/algae/dino/pfiesteria/monitoring_updates.html
http://www.vims.edu/env/projects/pfiesteria/index.html
http://mddnr.chesapeakebay.net/hab/hab_search.cfm
http://www.bayjournal.com/97-10/pfiester.htm
http://www.whoi.edu/redtide/notedevents/MDfish/1997articles.html
http://www.boatus.com/cleanwater/outreach/pfiesteria.htm
http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=82220&ran=146275
Harmful Algae and Other Water Borne Problems
http://www.vdh.state.va.us/whc/external_whc/ZEEpageExternal.asp
More Related links
http://www.chesbay.org/lesions/