8057 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

installed at the Roaring Judy facility needs to be subjected to thorough testing for at least a year to determine its cost-effectiveness in disease prevention and control, particularly with regard to WD. This remains to be done. The cost and benefits of UV systems should be weighed against the benefits of investing a similar amount toward the four immediate solutions described above proven to be effective in protecting hatcheries from WD. Likewise, before seriously considering spending millions of dollars to acquire additional fish culture facilities (that are currently WD-), the DOW needs to have a thorough assessment of the probabilities that those units will be secure, or can be made secure, from the WD parasite and if so, what would be the additional capital construction costs. Options for Obtaining WD- Fish from Other Sources 1. Purchase fish from private hatcheries The DOW initiated this option last summer (1995) but the money ($40,000) was not approved until August. By that time, the private sources that showed interest in selling fish to us had already contracted their fish out for the season. Our Hatchery Section sent out another letter in March/April 1996 to all aquaculture license holders asking if they would be interested in selling 9- to 10-inch catchable trout to us for $1.60/pound up to a maximum of $10,000 (anything more than $10,000 would have to go to out on bid and could not be handled by a contract). We also stated we would haul the fish. Four responses were received, but one was rejected due to other disease concerns. The DOW could purchase 45,000 trout 9-10 inches in length. As a result, the DOW has presently contracted with three operators for $30,000. If the price were increased above $1.60/pound, more people might be interested in selling fish. The DOW hatchery system produces 10-inch fish for $1.75/pound, including hauling costs. Buying WD- fish from the private sector could immediately help the DOW in fulfilling its stocking programs, but there are some inherent problems associated with purchasing fish. First, the private sector is presently selling all the fish produced in Colorado, so more fish may need to be imported either for us or their other customers. Importing large fish increases the threat of introducing other pathogens (i.e., WD and redmouth were imported into the state and both are enzootic now). Second, we do not have as thorough disease histories on private hatcheries as we have on DOW facilities. Third, if we haul the fish, we have to furnish the truck and driver. There may be some liability if we use our equipment on their property because of the threat of bringing in a pathogen. 45