HACCP participants work on sample HACCP plans. (Photo Credit: Meg Modley, 10/23/07)

HACCP participants visit Ed Weed Fish Hatchery. (Photo Credit: Mike Goehle, 10/23/07)

Kristie Roche (VTDFW) answers questions about the Ed Weed Fish Hatchery and how invasive species are controlled in hatchery operations. (Photo Credit: Mike Goehle, 10/23/07)

The Lower Great Lakes Fishery Resources Office (LGLFRO) held Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) training in collaboration with the Lake Champlain Basin Program and Lake Champlain Sea Grant, October 23-24, 2007.  HACCP provides a consistent framework to help identify points in a process, such as hatchery operations, where non-target species can be identified and controlled.  A full day workshop on October 23 was used to teach HACCP methodology and how to write and implement effective plans.  Mike Goehle, regional aquatic invasive species coordinator, and Mark Malchoff from Lake Champlain Sea Grant led the workshop using HACCP worksheets and materials from both the Service and Sea Grant.  Guest presenters included Shawn Good and Ken Cox from the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife (VTDFW) and Bill Schoch from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC).  Shawn and Bill discussed viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) emergency regulations in Vermont and New York while Ken discussed the "green list" of approved baitfish species in Vermont.  To conclude the workshop, Kristie Roche from the state of Vermont's Ed Weed Fish Hatchery, provided a tour of their advanced facility.  Kristie showed how their HACCP-like biosecurity plan is used to disinfect trucks, filter water, and help prevent the inadvertent movement of non-target organisms like zebra mussels.  The 20 workshop participants were comprised of staff from the Service, NYSDEC, VTDFW, EEA Consultants, Adirondack Lake Survey Corporation, Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program, New York Sea Grant, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, Chateguay Fish Hatchery, University of Vermont, and the Adirondack Park Agency.  The following day, Mike provided an overview of the 5-step HACCP process to the aquatic nuisance species subcommittee of the Lake Champlain Basin Program.  Mike discussed the HACCP process and how the LGLFRO has adapted its HACCP plan to emerging invasive species threats such as VHS.  Mike emphasized the importance of adaptive planning and flexibility as plans must reflect current and potential threats in ecosystems where natural resource management work is carried out.