28th ANNUAL EASTERN FISH HEALTH WORKSHOP April 21-25, 2003 Fish Health in the Great Lakes: A Personal Perspective John G. Hnath Michigan State University, Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery, 34270 C.R. 652, Mattawan, MI 49071 This presentation gives a perspective on fish health issues in the Laurention Great Lakes basin based on a career in fish health within the basin. It begins with a brief history of the discovery of parasites and diseases in the basin and mentions some of the significant factors/events that affected fish health.  These factors/events include but are not limited to: bacterial furunculosis, sea lamprey invasions, parasite studies (especially Echinorhynchus salmonis), botulism, IPN virus, whirling disease, contaminants, goiters, reproductive disturbances, formation of the international Great Lakes Fish Health Committee (GLFHC), and EED virus.  Then the presentation discusses some current issues including change in scope of the GLFHC, bacterial kidney disease, thiamine deficiency complex, whirling disease, botulism, IPN virus, fish importation, exotics, and EED virus.  Emerging issues include aquaculture and exotic introduction regulations, financial resources for fish health studies, and several emerging pathogens (Large Mouth Bass Virus, Spring Viremia of Carp, Heterosporis, and sturgeon viruses).  Finally there is brief discussion of a personal perspective on fish health in the basin including a discussion of research needs, diagnostic tools, and the need for truly effective regulations. Return to 28th Annual Eastern Fish Health Workshop Return to Leetown Science Center Home Page