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SANTA FE, NM — New Mexico may not be able to avoid whirling disease, a parasitic infestation that has destroyed many trout populations in other western states, but the Land of Enchantment won’t go down without a fight. “We are preparing to revamp our fish importation regulations to be the most stringent in the country, and we have designated one of our fisheries biologists a disease specialist,” said Mike Sloane, assistant chief of fisheries for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. At present, the Department is removing whirling disease-infected fish from private ponds in the Raton area. The fish were stocked early in the summer by a private hatchery in Trinidad, Colo. After the stocking the hatchery was identified as whirling-disease positive by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. The fish being removed from the private ponds must be captured alive, or the state risks permanent contamination of those waters, Sloane said. Whirling disease is spread by microscopic spores found on the bottom of ponds, lakes and rivers. The spores are eaten by tubifex worms, and develop into Triactinomyons while inside the worms. The Triactinomyons are released from the tubifex worms into the water, where they cling to the bodies of trout and burrow into the fish’s nervous system. Another metamorphosis within the fish results in a mature spore attacking the cartilage right behind the fish’s head. After several weeks, that results in spinal deformities and “whirling” motions by the fish. Black tails are additional evidence of a whirling-disease infection. When infected fish die and decompose, or are eaten by predators, the spores are released into the water and the cycle resumes. New Mexico’s six trout hatcheries have remained free of whirling disease, and will be tested annually. The last time whirling disease was detected in the state was in 1988 when contaminated fish were planted in private ponds in the Angel Fire and Red River areas. Importation of trout and salmon from private hatcheries in other states may need to be suspended temporarily until New Mexico’s importation regulations are completed, Sloane said. “We’re trying to protect our fisheries resources from a highly contagious parasite. We hope everyone can understand the need for that and cooperate with us,” he said. Anglers can help prevent the spread of whirling disease by taking several simple precautions: • If you fish outside New Mexico, wash the mud off your waders BEFORE you return home or at least before you use them in New Mexico waters. • Drain all water from boat and equipment — coolers, buckets, livewells — BEFORE leaving the fishing area. •Remove all mud or aquatic plants from your vehicle, boat, trailer, waders and fishing gear before leaving a fishing access site. •Dry your boat and equipment thoroughly before reusing it. • Do not use trout, whitefish, salmon or sculpins as bait. •Do not transport fish from one water to another. It is illegal and preventing the spread of diseases is a major reason for the prohibition. “Whirling disease has ruined many fine trout waters, particularly in Colorado and Montana,” Sloane said. “We don’t want New Mexico to be next.”

Uploaded: 9/22/1999