Becky Lasee describing the life cycle of parasitic copepods at the Region 2 Fisheries Biologist meeting. (Photo by: S. Bauer, 2/26/2009, Dexter Fish Technology Center, NM)

Teresa Lewis and Becky Lasee answering questions during the parasite workshop at the Region 2 Fisheries Biologist meeting. (Photo by: S. Bauer, 2/26/2009, Dexter Fish Technology Center, NM)

United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Region 2 held their first annual fisheries biologist workshop at the Dexter National Fish Hatchery and Technology Center (USFWS).   Throughout the workshop an array of knowledge was shared between biologists from various Region 2 offices.   The coordinators invited Becky Lasee, Project Leader of the La Crosse Fish Health Center (USFWS), to give a presentation on fish parasites. Teresa Lewis, acting Fish Health Unit Leader at Dexter (USFWS), gave an update on parasites of concern in Region 2.  After the presentations a parasite workshop was held where the biologists were given the opportunity to search for internal and external parasites from a variety of fish from a local reservoir. Sarah Bauer of La Crosse Fish Health Center assisted with the laboratory.  The participants were excited about trying something new and really seemed to enjoy themselves.  One enthusiastic participant was determined to find the parasitic eye fluke, Diplostomum sp., by removing the eyes from many of the sacrificed fish.  The participants seemed to have as much fun as we did giving the workshop.