The closures extend to hundreds of miles of waterways that feed into the Yellowstone, including the Boulder, Shields and Stillwater rivers. “Our state cannot afford this infectious disease to spread to other streams and rivers and it’s my responsibility to do everything we can to stop this threat in its tracks and protect Montana jobs and livelihoods”, Bullock said. “We have not identified that parasite anywhere in the park, and we also haven’t had any dead fish reported inside Yellowstone”.
Advertisement
Officials are now anxious the fish kill could have a lasting impact on the Yellowstone’s reputation as a world-class trout fishery that draws visitors from around the world.
“I think Montana Fish Wildlife Parks, they’re doing the right thing”, Reiner said.
No dead fish have been found inside Yellowstone National Park, where the 100th anniversary celebration is expected to kick off next week.
Montana’s outdoor recreation economy is responsible for more than 64,000 Montana jobs and almost $6 billion in yearly economic activity, the governor noted.
According to a report in NPR by Richard Gonzales, “A microscopic parasite is ravaging the fish population of the Yellowstone River in Montana prompting state officials to ban water-based recreation along a 183-mile stretch of the river and all of its tributaries”.
The agency says the action is needed to prevent the spread of the parasite and to protect the fishery and the outdoor economy it sustains.
Montana officials said that the deadly parasite is not native in Yellowstone River and this means that it could have gotten there via a contaminated boat, birds or from humans, Fox News noted.
Only positive thing is that the officials have not found any dead fish inside Yellowstone National Park. It is illegal to transport live fish or move fish or other animals among park waters.
The department intends to limit the spread of a fish-killing parasite that causes the proliferative kidney disease, which has an 80 percent to 100 percent mortality rate. It is estimated that the total number of fishes that have been killed off by the parasite is in the tens of thousands. However, some reports said that the incident also affected rainbow trout and Yellowstone cutthroat trout – species crucial to the fishing industry.
Unfortunately, the parasite has somehow managed to proliferate greatly in recent times, and has made its way to water bodies in Washington state, Oregon, and Idaho as well. The parasite is not a danger to humans. FWP lab results reveal the catalyst of the kill to be Proliferative Kidney Disease ‘ one of the most serious diseases to impact whitefish and trout. “We must be guided by science”.
FWP Director Jeff Hagener says in coming to the decision, the Department had to weigh the totality of the circumstances and risk to the fishery.
The effect of the disease on Yellowstone’s fish populations is exacerbated by other stressors like near record low flows, consistent high temperatures, and the disturbance caused by recreational activities. “However, we must act to protect this public resource for present and future generations”, said Hagener. The outdoor activities are creating more than 64,000 jobs and are worth $6 billion per year.
The closure may also last for months if there would be no improvements in the river’s condition and the fish keep dying.
Advertisement
The wildlife agency already set up two decontamination stations to thwart possibilities of equipment spreading the fish-killing parasite to other rivers.
