'Whirling Disease Update 2001' is an information exchange which is being
organized to provide stakeholders with an opportunity to learn more
about the potential risks of Whirling Disease and what is being done in
Alberta to address these risks. In addition to hearing about what is
being done in Alberta, experts from the U.S. will also be present to
talk about their experiences with the Disease.

'Whirling Disease Update 2001' will be held in Lethbridge during May 25
and 26. Anyone concerned about the risks of Whirling Disease should
plan on attending this event.

Whirling Disease infects coldwater salmonid species and is caused by the
Mxyobolus cerebralis parasite. It was first detected in the U.S. in the
late 1950's and has since spread to most of the lower 48 U.S. states
with coldwater habitat. It has been linked to catostrophic declines in
young of the year trout populations in many premiere trout fisheries in
the intermountain states. Although Whirling Disease infected many trout
streams in Montana during the 1990's, monitoring efforts have not
located the parasite which causes the disease in Alberta to date.

Trout Unlimited Canada will have information about the 'Whirling Disease
Update 2001' posted on our website <www.tucanada.org/WD2001>. Anbody
interested in linking to this site should contact Michael Monita at
<monita@tucanada.org>.

Please feel free to further distribute this message, and to make and
distribute hard-copies of the attached 'pdf' file.

WD2001Notice.PDF

Kerry Brewin
Alberta Council Manager and Biologist
Trout Unlimited Canada