Lower Columbia River Fish Health Center

Comprehensive Fish Health

Welcome

Lower Columbia Fish Health Center
201 Oklahoma Road
Willard , WA 98605
509-538-2400
Manager - Susan Gutenberger

The Lower Columbia River Fish Health Center originated in 1953 as the first of the federal fish health centers in the northwestern states. Since that time, the staff of one hatchery biologist has expanded to include an administrative assistant and five fish health specialists with expertise in pathology, bacteriology, virology, epidemiology, toxicology, histology, and physiology. The Center provides services to seven lower Columbia River federal fish hatcheries, three tribes, and as requested, to state and private facilities. The primary purposes of the Center are to inspect hatchery fish for pathogens, diagnose disease, recommend remedial treatments to maintain good health management and to monitor the health of wild fish.

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	What is a Fish Health Center? U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fish health centers are resource centers that provide service, expertise and information supporting the Service's mission to promote and protect aquatic animal health. Their work not only contributes to health, survival, restoration and enhancement of fish and other aquatic species, it also supports hatchery operations to provide quality fish. Each center works with fish research centers, universities and private companies to serve fish growers in producing healthy fish for the future.

	Why Fish Health Centers Are Necessary Fish, like all animals, are subject to a variety of diseases which can lead to death. They may suffer from environmental, nutritional or infectious diseases caused by pathogens which are capable of causing disease when a host's resistance is lowered. Because diseases may be a problem among fish raised in captivity, it is important for fish culturists to understand the nature of fish diseases. Fish health center personnel may recommend treatments such as administering vaccines or antibiotics.

	Who Funds Us? The Lower Columbia River Fish Health Center is primarily funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service, with some additional money provided by the National Wild Fish Health Survey, the U.S. Corps of Engineers, Bonneville Power Administration, and the Yakama Indian Nation.

	National Wild Fish Health Survey The purpose of the National Wild Fish Health Survey is to determine the distribution of certain pathogens (agents that can cause disease) in fish in the wild. The most important weapon needed to control or prevent fish disease is knowledge. Currently, there is very little information about the relationship between the presence of pathogens in wild fish and their likelihood of producing disease in either wild or hatchery produced fish. Scientific information is needed to provide a biological basis for management decisions regarding stocking and fish transport activities.