Dead Whitefish in Nottawasaga Bay

[sdcaller]

When I was trolling on Nottawasaga Bay today (Oct. 7), I saw at least a dozen dead whitefish floating on the surface.

Has anyone else seen any? Does anyone know what is happening out there?

Is this the same thing as happened on Lake Simcoe this Spring?
SDC

[admin]

Strange for sure.. Maybe some kind of disease effecting the whitefish going around this year OR maybe the commercial fisherman in the area knows something about it... I recall you mentioning the area has a commercial fishery for whitefish.

[admin]

Update on status of dead fish and birds in Nottawasaga Bay
Posted by avengere1:

i know this is a lake simcoe board.i have been hearing about fish and water fowl dying in nottawasaga bay.so i made a few calls to the mnr.and yess there is alot of bottom fish dying whitefish-sturgeon and other bottom feeding fish also alot of water fowl like loons ands ducks are also dying..the mnr is telling me that wear gloves if handling those dead fish and birds.they think it is botulism causing the fish to die but they are not sure if the birds are dying from eating from the bottom or feeding on the dead fish...another caution is to keep your pets of the beach area in wasaga because dog are supetable to botulism as well if they happen to eat an infected fish..hope this sheds a little light on this issue..thanks

[spooner]

More about the dead fish and birds in Georgian Bay:

COLLINGWOOD - The Ministry of Natural Resources is trying to figure out why fish and birds have been dying in south Georgian Bay.

The ministry started receive sporadic reports beginning in late August, but cases have increased in frequency and distribution in recent weeks.

The fish die-off includes channel fish, freshwater drum, carp, lake whitefish, and one largemouth drum. Wasaga Beach Provincial Park staff have disposed of about 120 dead sturgeon.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources spokesperson John Cooper says fresh samples have been sent to the University of Guelph to test for fish and bird diseases, including the Type E botulism toxin, which Cooper says is quite likely the cause.

"It's a naturally occurring event," said Cooper, adding little is known about the ecology of the bacteria which produces the botulism toxin.

"Something is occurring at the bottom of the lake," said Cooper.

Georgian Triangle Anglers' Association President Rick Baldry says its members have seen a number of fish, including sturgeon, floating on the water's surface.

Baldry immediately suggested the cause could be Type E botulism, which is what the ministry says is typically the cause of these sort of die-offs.

He says even though there are plenty of fish and there is little concern it will affect anglers or the fishing industry, it matters: "Anything that upsets or disturbs the ecosystem matters."

The bacterium naturally occurs as harmless spores in lake bottom sediment. Under certain conditions – rich nutrient source, lack of oxygen, and optimum temperature – the bacterium begins producing the toxin. It then enters the food chain, primarily affecting birds and fish.

More than 300 dead birds have also been reported to the ministry, including loons, mallards, grebes, gulls, and Canada geese.


Cooper says sturgeon, and other fish which swim and feed along the bottom, are most prone to contamination.

He also says dead sturgeon are most obvious because of their size and they float to the top when they are dead – other fish may be dying off unnoticed because some fish fall to the bottom.

Cooper says this many fish dying is not good, adding the numbers were much smaller last year.

He says if this is a case of botulism, it will stop naturally.

"There doesn't appear to be any long-term concern for the fish and wildlife in (this) area."

He says this shouldn't put commercial fishing or sport angling in jeopardy.

"There are large amounts of those fish out there," said Cooper, adding the botulism toxin takes affect within a day and people should be wary of abnormally-behaving fish.

He says the toxin is very susceptible to heat and fish should be cooked thoroughly.

Baldry notes the toxin can't be passed onto humans if the fish is cooked.

"The most important thing is how you prepare it," said Baldry, adding it's always a good idea to cut off a quarter inch from each fillet from the lateral line, which contains most of the toxins the fish has consumed over its lifespan.

Cooper says the bacteria becomes active in dead organisms, so the ministry is advising people to keep their pets away from dead animals on the shoreline.

For people who find dead fish or birds on their property, Cooper says there are three options: leave the carcass and let it decay, bury it, or double-bag it for municipal waste pickup.

[sdcaller]

When I was fishing off Wasaga on Friday-Oct. 28, I saw no sign of dead birds or dead fish.
Also there were lots of gulls, geese, ducks and others flying around.
Looks like the worst is over. Let's hope so.
SDC