Viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus and risks to fish, fishing, and people

Viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHS) was first detected in the Great Lakes in 2005, and it raised immediate concerns among fisheries management agencies. VHS is not a health threat to people; the primary concerns were... [ view full abstract ]

Viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHS) was first detected in the Great Lakes in 2005, and it raised immediate concerns among fisheries management agencies. VHS is not a health threat to people; the primary concerns were about the risks VHS posed to fish populations and, by extension, to anglers’ opportunities to fish. Communication to anglers is one of the management tools that has been used to reduce these risks. Most messages communicated about VHS are integrated with messages about aquatic invasive species, which pose similar risks to fisheries. We conducted a content analysis of materials being used to communicate to anglers about aquatic invasive species and fish diseases and characterized their primary messages. We also surveyed anglers in the Great Lakes region to assess perceptions and behaviors related to VHS. Communication to anglers about VHS has focused almost exclusively on encouraging behaviors that will help to reduce the risk of the spread of VHS to minimize negative impacts on fish populations. To motivate anglers to comply, this communication often emphasizes the threat VHS poses to fish populations. Very few materials recognize that anglers could perceive VHS as a threat to their health and safety. These communication efforts have had mixed results in achieving their objectives. Considerable regional variation exists in awareness of VHS and the degree to which anglers have adopted behaviors that could help prevent its spread. Much of this variation is likely attributable to state differences in the emphasis placed on communicating about VHS. Survey results also show, however, that a widespread belief exists among anglers that fish diseases can harm people. This finding raises the question of whether the current emphasis of communication to anglers about VHS is sufficient to allow their full use of the resource.