Fish Protection Measures Put on Hold

Federal officials are taking another look at new rules designed to contain a virus fatal to fish.

Great Lakes critics say the rules could force some fish farms out of business.

The rules are meant to fight off viral hemhorragic septicemia.

It causes internal bleeding and organ failures in fish, but it doesn’t harm humans.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has new testing and inspection rules that were due to take effect next Monday.

The rules are now on hold until at least January.

Fish wholesalers have complained the new rules will drain their profits without solving the problem.

The virus has been found in several Michigan inland lakes, as well as in 4 of the 5 Great Lakes.

Lake Superior is the only one that hasn’t been affected.