…and that something is Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis (IPN).
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has decided to close the Connetquot fish hatchery for at least the next five years in an attempt to eradicate the virus. During the shutdown, the parks agency will clean and disinfect the hatchery, while simultaneously stocking the river with disease-free fish from other hatcheries, to allow the virus to die off. They have also increased the catch size from one fish to six, so that fishermen can catch the hatchery-raised fish that will be released into the river and thereby reduce the population to help fight the virus. (The disease poses no health risks to humans, but is highly deadly for young salmonids). Last year, the DEC killed thousands of baby trout in what turned out to be an unsuccessful attempt to eradicate the disease, which has been present for almost 7 years now.
The decision to shut down the hatchery is supported by Trout Unlimited, a national organization that is committed to conserving, protecting and restoring North America’s cold water fisheries and their watersheds.
