Some of you may be aware of the thousands of pilchards that
have been killed by a herpes-like virus along the Victorian
coast from Anglesea to Portland and beyond.
An article in The Age (19/8/98 - p6) states:
"The Fisheries Victoria director, Mr Richard McLouglin,
said people should not touch the fish or feed them to pets
because of the risk of secondary bacterial infections....."
"While the cause of the outbreak is unknown, it is believed
the disease could be spread by sea birds eating infected
fish".
The question needs to be asked, what effect - if any - will
this have on the populations of sea birds along this coast
line?
There seems to be two main areas of concern: 1. primary
infection on sea birds through the consumption of fish; and
2, secondary infections through proximity to the dead fish
- an example of potential impact might be on the population
of Hooded Plovers.
Although impact may be minor - has research been
conducted the effect of this type of phenomenon?
Tim Dolby
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