Vermont Baitfish Emergency Rule Renewed, Public Hearing Dates Set

January 25, 2008 -- Waterbury, VT – Vermont anglers will have the opportunity to comment on the draft baitfish regulations at five public hearings around the state starting Tuesday, January 29th.

The emergency baitfish regulation, which was to expire in February, has been renewed and will continue until the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board enacts a permanent regulation that will replace it.

Shawn Good, the Fish & Wildlife Department fisheries biologist heading their Aquatic Nuisance Species Team, says the existing emergency rule as well as the permanent rule the F&W Board is working on are necessary to prevent Vermont’s waters and fish from becoming infected with a deadly fish virus known as Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS).

A summary of the emergency regulation is provided below. The complete text of the regulation is available at http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/laws_rules.cfm.

How does this new Emergency regulation apply to anglers who are trapping, buying and using baitfish?

• The personal harvest and use of wild fish as bait is now prohibited with the exception of yellow perch and rainbow smelt, which only can be used on the waters from which they were caught.

• A person may buy, possess, transport, and use only Vermont-approved species of baitfish.

• Anyone purchasing baitfish must keep and show upon request a receipt for purchases of baitfish from a state-approved commercial bait dealer. Purchased baitfish may only be used on a single waterbody, and may not be transported (live or dead) off the water or ice once taken there. This includes preserved minnows. Unused baitfish may be killed and left on the ice.

• Receipts specifying the water where the bait may be used are valid for 48 hours from time and date of sale.

• It is illegal for anglers to transport baitfish species into Vermont from another state or Canadian province.

Commercial Bait Dealers - Permitted Activities and Restrictions

• The commercial harvest, sale, and use of wild fish as bait are prohibited, except for those commercial dealers who will be designated as Lake Champlain Zone baitshops who may only harvest wild bait from Lake Champlain, and only sell bait for use on Lake Champlain. Any other baitfish sold commercially must originate from a fish hatchery approved by the Fish & Wildlife Commissioner.

• A Commercial Bait Dealer may buy, possess, transport, and use only approved species of baitfish.

• A commercial bait dealer must provide each customer with a copy of a receipt containing the following information: 1) A unique receipt identification number, 2) The name of the bait dealer, 3) time and date of sale, 4) species purchased, 5) quantity purchased, 6) waterbody (limited to one) on which the bait will be used, 7) signature of purchaser.

• Receipt forms will be provided to commercial bait dealers by the Fish & Wildlife Department.

• Commercial bait dealers must keep receipts and records of each individual lot of baitfish introduced into their shop for sale. The records must include the name of seller, address and telephone number of seller, date received, species identification, and number purchased. The permit holder shall retain the original receipts for at least one year after the date of sale.

Disposal of water.

• Upon being removed from the water, all watercraft, watercraft trailers, boating or fishing equipment, including water in any bilge, ballast tank, bait bucket, and live well must be immediately emptied and drained of all water.

• This does not apply to tanks or containers of potable drinking water or other beverages meant for human consumption.

“We have been receiving a lot of input so far by phone and e-mail,” said Good. “The public hearings will give anglers a chance to learn about the issues and provide their comments on the regulation. I believe that in the end, we will be able to successfully adopt a final rule that protects Vermont from the VHS fish disease while at the same time, lessening the burden on anglers. I think people understand the danger we face with this disease and recognize the responsibility of the department to take the appropriate precautions. We just need to find that balance, and I think we will.”

Public hearings will begin at 6:00 p.m. for each of the following dates and locations:

January 29, 2008

St. Albans Town Education Center

169 South Main St., St Albans

January 30, 2008

Springfield High School

303 South St., Springfield

February 4, 2008

Montpelier High School

5 High School Dr., Montpelier

February 5, 2008

Rutland High School

22 Stratton Rd., Rutland

February 6, 2008

Lake Region Union High School

317 Lake Region Rd., Orleans

For more detailed information on the VHS fish disease and how to help prevent the introduction and spread of VHS, visit http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/vhs.cfm.

Source: Agency of Natural Resources

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