Newsletter November 2006

USDA Imposes “Spring Viremia of Carp: Import restrictions”

As of Oct. 30 new restrictions have been imposed on the importation of various Spring Viremia of Carp (SVC) susceptible species including koi. “This is definitely a restriction against the importation of koi from Japan,” Todo Todorsky said. “That doesn’t mean you will never get fish from Japan, but there are certifications, and fees, and inspections that have to go on for people who want to import these fish, which means the stocks in Japan of these fish have to be certified as clean before they can be shipped to the United States. They cannot be shipped just anywhere in the United States. It says only large U.S. seaports, airlines, and border crossings can be used to import these fish through. For the larger importers the estimation is that there will be a $20,000 charge for them to get all the tests and certification done. A small importer may have a lot of problem coming up with the associated expenses, but over and above that this regulation also limits koi coming in from tourists. We know many people who go to Japan and buy fish and then either bring them back or have them shipped back and they are also under this edict. So this is a big deal when it comes to importing koi from Japan. I personally think it is a good idea.” Todo explains why he thinks it a good idea in the rest of his commentary. Likewise guest Sandy Yosha, DMV PHD made her views known on the subject. Joe Pawlak, president of Blackwater Creek Koi Farms informed us off air that indeed many of the leading Japanese breeders are going through the process to be certified to avoid any interruption in the flow of their good quality Japanese koi into the United States. Other less scrupulous breeders and dealers may not.
For more information about this regulation visit the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Office of USDA website at: www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2006/08/svcrestric.shtml

In Her Own Words: Sandy Yosha

Sandy Yosha, DMV PHD shared with the audience her background and motivations that resulted in her including koi in her veterinarian practice. Yosha is well known for her knowledge and experience helping hobbyists with their fish and by providing invaluable support to Associated Koi Clubs of America (AKCA) and their Koi Health Advisor Program. She genuinely enjoys her work. “As you know they (koi) are very personable,” Yosha said. “They make great pets. To me it was just a natural extension of being a pet veterinarian. I think the koi hobby and fish keeping in general is a fascinating and fabulous hobby. And I’ve been delighted to have contact with many of these hobbyists over the years.” Yosha also discussed the topic of fish stress a subject she has published a recent article about. Plus, Yosha provided general recommendations for improving koi health emphasizing the importance of water quality, other management practices along with taking advantage of the expertise of fish veterinarians. Did you know fish in the south often suffer from obesity? Yosha explains in the interview why and what to do about it. Contact Yosha with your questions and comments at Dvm4fish@aol.com.

Fall Pond Tour on the San Francisco Bay

John Case representing the San Francisco Bay Area Koi Club shared some of their purpose and passion related to their pond tour held on Oct 14 from10-4 pm in Brentwood. Their pond tour is one of the few tours this time of year. “The weather in the October time frame in Northern California generally stays pretty mild,” Case said. “We could pretty much have a tour anywhere across the Bay area and people would likely come out simply because the weather is not going to be in the extreme warm or cool. It is a good time for people to look at ponds and start thinking about putting something together. Hopefully we can generate interest and get people to build ponds in the winter, which we can do. It doesn’t freeze here. It does get a little wet.” As Todo noted fish don’t mind the wet. “We believe koi add a lot of beauty and value to the quality of your life rather than just watching the waterfall,” Case said. “Our motto out here has always been build your second pond first. And what we try to do is to make sure that those that want to undertake the chore of building a koi pond that they do it right. We have so many people interested in koi in Northern California. And we have seven Koi Health Advisors in our club. And I would expect that 80% of the calls we get are from non-members.” Case noted they would like to change that by adding members and reducing the number of nonmembers. “By the time they call a KHA generally they have put themselves in a position to lose hundreds if not thousands of dollars that could have been avoided if they had joined a club and gotten things correct upfront just for a small outlay of cash. And that is what we try and convince them is that they are going to save money in the long run by using the right advice. And of course the advice is free.” Ponds sizes on the tour ranged from 25,000 to 3,700 gallons. The price was $10 for adults, $5 for children over 12, and under 12 free.
Check out more about the San Francisco Bay Area Koi Club at www.sfbakc.or www.sfbakc.org.

Show Fish Not Girls Take Casino Stage At 1st Las Vegas Koi Show

Pete Patera joined us to give a last minute update prior to their inaugural koi show. Convention space at Palace Station Hotel and Casino was reserved as the venue after originally being Plant World that they outgrew. Although Pete did not believe a free meal and chips should be expected fare at their casino venue he did note, “You might get a free drink here or there.” Seven koi vendors were expected and numerous dry vendors including artists and jewelers. “We are looking for a great turn out,” Patera said. “We decided not to charge any entrance fees and let everyone come and enjoy the fish and have a great time.”

Head judges were to include Bob & Joan Finnegan along with Tom Aires as the candidate judge. Vickie Vaughn was scheduled from UGA for a koi health seminar and Kent Wallace, from Living Water Solutions in Las Vegas to discuss pond construction.

This is a political season and the Las Vegas Club are vying for votes in more ways than one. “We are privileged to have our Mayor Oscar Goodman, he could not be here, but we have a mayor’s award that will be presented by his wife Carolyn,” Patera said. “So she will be presenting the award at the banquet on Saturday night. The mayor has a pond and they do have some koi.” Goodman was out of country at the time of the show, but informed the club leadership that he intends to participate in the club’s next show.

Pete described how the Las Vegas Club had been in the hunt to host the AKCA Seminar in 2009, but did not receive it. This result was attributed to their being a young club that had not hosted koi shows along with their limited involvement with other regional clubs. These were all matters that the Las Vegas Club is seeking to address. “A koi club grows just like a koi keeper,” Todo said. “You start out and you learn things, and you go to places and gain information, and experience. So it is not a matter of saying, hey let’s do it all today. It is a matter of let’s grow in the hobby and do it right.” It would be a safe bet to expect more great things from the Las Vegas Koi Club.

For more about the Las Vegas Club check them out at www.lasvegaskoiclub.com.

Southern Koi Association Launches 1st ZNA Show in Naples, Florida

Joe White representing the Southern Koi Association ZNA shared with the audience what is in store at the 1st Southern Koi Association ZNA Koi Show to be held on Nov. 17- 19. “The show in Naples is special we think from several standpoints,” White said. “One thing is we have just a few major sponsors and have limited the vendors for this show. We didn’t want to have a lot of vendors show up especially fish vendors and have them disappointed if they all didn’t get enough sales.” There will be high quality vendors present, but the business model for this show is a bit different than in prior efforts of the club leadership in working with other clubs. Show Chairman John Sprinkle envisioned having a show with major sponsors, which they have achieved gaining support from Aquatic Ecosystems, Driftwood Garden Center, and the Naples Botanical Gardens where the show will be located. “The other thing that is a little bit different about this show is that through John and his business crew we are having a lot of the work done by people outside the club as far as setup and tear down,” White said. “John has said he wants people to be able to come and relax and not have to worry about all the physical labor involved in getting the show up and running and breaking it down. So we are really pleased that he has been able to bring all of that together for us.”

The SKA leadership has put their heads together to find ways to make the entire show process easier on the membership. “We are having specially made 8’ diameter hard-sided poly-tanks being built for us to our specifications,” White said. “That is being done through Aquatic Ecosystems and a manufacturer here in Florida. So we are having a lot of new equipment at this show and very pleased to be having 8’ and 6’ hard-sided tanks.” Ease of use was a key factor in the decision to develop this newly designed product. As with the reputation of Naples itself this ZNA koi show should be first rate.
To find out more about the Southern Koi Association visit their website at www.znaska.org.

Young Koi Show and Barbecue in Gator Country

David Hardcastle shared with the audience news of the upcoming Nov. 11 Gainesville Koi Club Young Koi Show. “We normally have our barbecue this time of year and we decided what the heck, let’s have a young koi show,” Hardcastle said. The club usually has quite a gaggle of folk show up down in Gator Country (Gainesville: Home of the University of Florida Gators) for the barbecue so they decided to set up some tanks and have a real blowout. Entries are expected from around the state of Florida and Hardcastle was open to the idea of adding tanks for any last minute entries that might require them. This show and social (with barbecue) is for koi 20” and under their owners and anyone else whether a club member or not who would care to participate. Hardcastle welcomes everyone and as a well-known owner of koi frequently winning grand champion awards his ponds and fish are well worth a visit. Lester Berkow is travelling up the state to judge this event.
Check out more about this event and the Gainesville Koi Club at www.pondhoppers.org.

Makings of a Golden Empire Koi Show

Dave Cope shared with the audience details of the 7th Annual Golden Empire Koi Show, hosted by the Bakersfield Koi & Water Garden Society. The show was held October 20-22. Bakersfield for those not knowing is about 100 miles north of Los Angeles, California in the middle of the San Wakin Valley. The name Golden Empire is derived from the name given the southern San Wakin Valley.

The Bakersfield Club began in 2000 and they have had a koi show every year of their existence. “The very first year we started the club it was in January of that year and a bunch of us were together and we asked ourselves well what are we going to do to get the word out about the club,” Cope said. “The next month in February someone said how about we have a koi show? The first thought was yeah right ( he laughed)!” With strong support from members with contacts in neighboring clubs they quickly swung into action borrowing tanks and putting on that first show and consecutive ones every year thereafter. “It is amazing as some clubs exist for years and years and never have a koi show,” John Hawley said. “Or they may be in existence for 10 or more years and not have a show.” To that Cope jokingly responded, “Well we didn’t have enough sense to know different.” Former Koi Kichi and San Diego grand champion koi were expected show at the event. The show is put on in association with a Home & Garden Show that provides the club free exhibit space and the opportunity to be viewed by 20,000-35,000 visitors per day for the three-day period! Obviously, the Bakersfield Koi & Water Garden Society knows how to put on a show. They may need encouragement to have a pond tour as they have not had one yet. Plus, the Bakersfield Koi & Water Garden Society is in need of a webmaster if anyone is able to assist. Meanwhile, the club can be contacted via Dave Cope at Dcope@dak.rr.com or 661-399-6195

A few of our scheduled guests for November include:

-Dr. Kevin Novak will discuss what some consider a revolutionary new filtration system that he has developed. Contact Dr. Novak at drklnovak@hotmail.com.

-Leroy Taba discussing his home club the Hawaii Goldfish and Carp Association. Check them out at www.hawaiigoldfishandkoi.org.

-Mike Robinson, owner of Keystone Hatcheries discussing the threat to some domestic koi breeders and dealers due to the new Federal Order Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS). Meanwhile, this federal order can be viewed at the following link: www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/aqua/pdf/vhs-fed-order_ogc-changes.pdf

-Tom Ayers, 2007 AKCA Seminar Co-Chairperson discussing not only the seminar prep, but also the upcoming Southern Arizona Koi Club Koi Show scheduled for Nov. 11-12. Visit www.vskc.net and link through for information on the 2007 AKCA Seminar. Contact Ayers about the Southern Arizona Koi Club Koi Show at azkoiboy@msn.com.


	The Fish Wrap: November 2006 From The Koi Club of the Air USDA Imposes “Spring Viremia of Carp: Import restrictions” As of Oct. 30 new restrictions have been imposed on the importation of various Spring Viremia of Carp (SVC) susceptible species including koi. “This is definitely a restriction against the importation of koi from Japan,” Todo Todorsky said. “That doesn’t mean you will never get fish from Japan, but there are certifications, and fees, and inspections that have to go on for people who want to import these fish, which means the stocks in Japan of these fish have to be certified as clean before they can be shipped to the United States. They cannot be shipped just anywhere in the United States. It says only large U.S. seaports, airlines, and border crossings can be used to import these fish through. For the larger importers the estimation is that there will be a $20,000 charge for them to get all the tests and certification done. A small importer may have a lot of problem coming up with the associated expenses, but over and above that this regulation also limits koi coming in from tourists. We know many people who go to Japan and buy fish and then either bring them back or have them shipped back and they are also under this edict. So this is a big deal when it comes to importing koi from Japan. I personally think it is a good idea.” Todo explains why he thinks it a good idea in the rest of his commentary. Likewise guest Sandy Yosha, DMV PHD made her views known on the subject. Joe Pawlak, president of Blackwater Creek Koi Farms informed us off air that indeed many of the leading Japanese breeders are going through the process to be certified to avoid any interruption in the flow of their good quality Japanese koi into the United States. Other less scrupulous breeders and dealers may not. For more information about this regulation visit the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Office of USDA website at: www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2006/08/svcrestric.shtml In Her Own Words: Sandy Yosha Sandy Yosha, DMV PHD shared with the audience her background and motivations that resulted in her including koi in her veterinarian practice. Yosha is well known for her knowledge and experience helping hobbyists with their fish and by providing invaluable support to Associated Koi Clubs of America (AKCA) and their Koi Health Advisor Program. She genuinely enjoys her work. “As you know they (koi) are very personable,” Yosha said. “They make great pets. To me it was just a natural extension of being a pet veterinarian. I think the koi hobby and fish keeping in general is a fascinating and fabulous hobby. And I’ve been delighted to have contact with many of these hobbyists over the years.” Yosha also discussed the topic of fish stress a subject she has published a recent article about. Plus, Yosha provided general recommendations for improving koi health emphasizing the importance of water quality, other management practices along with taking advantage of the expertise of fish veterinarians. Did you know fish in the south often suffer from obesity? Yosha explains in the interview why and what to do about it. Contact Yosha with your questions and comments at Dvm4fish@aol.com. Fall Pond Tour on the San Francisco Bay John Case representing the San Francisco Bay Area Koi Club shared some of their purpose and passion related to their pond tour held on Oct 14 from10-4 pm in Brentwood. Their pond tour is one of the few tours this time of year. “The weather in the October time frame in Northern California generally stays pretty mild,” Case said. “We could pretty much have a tour anywhere across the Bay area and people would likely come out simply because the weather is not going to be in the extreme warm or cool. It is a good time for people to look at ponds and start thinking about putting something together. Hopefully we can generate interest and get people to build ponds in the winter, which we can do. It doesn’t freeze here. It does get a little wet.” As Todo noted fish don’t mind the wet. “We believe koi add a lot of beauty and value to the quality of your life rather than just watching the waterfall,” Case said. “Our motto out here has always been build your second pond first. And what we try to do is to make sure that those that want to undertake the chore of building a koi pond that they do it right. We have so many people interested in koi in Northern California. And we have seven Koi Health Advisors in our club. And I would expect that 80% of the calls we get are from non-members.” Case noted they would like to change that by adding members and reducing the number of nonmembers. “By the time they call a KHA generally they have put themselves in a position to lose hundreds if not thousands of dollars that could have been avoided if they had joined a club and gotten things correct upfront just for a small outlay of cash. And that is what we try and convince them is that they are going to save money in the long run by using the right advice. And of course the advice is free.” Ponds sizes on the tour ranged from 25,000 to 3,700 gallons. The price was $10 for adults, $5 for children over 12, and under 12 free. Check out more about the San Francisco Bay Area Koi Club at www.sfbakc.or www.sfbakc.org. Show Fish Not Girls Take Casino Stage At 1st Las Vegas Koi Show Pete Patera joined us to give a last minute update prior to their inaugural koi show. Convention space at Palace Station Hotel and Casino was reserved as the venue after originally being Plant World that they outgrew. Although Pete did not believe a free meal and chips should be expected fare at their casino venue he did note, “You might get a free drink here or there.” Seven koi vendors were expected and numerous dry vendors including artists and jewelers. “We are looking for a great turn out,” Patera said. “We decided not to charge any entrance fees and let everyone come and enjoy the fish and have a great time.” Head judges were to include Bob & Joan Finnegan along with Tom Aires as the candidate judge. Vickie Vaughn was scheduled from UGA for a koi health seminar and Kent Wallace, from Living Water Solutions in Las Vegas to discuss pond construction. This is a political season and the Las Vegas Club are vying for votes in more ways than one. “We are privileged to have our Mayor Oscar Goodman, he could not be here, but we have a mayor’s award that will be presented by his wife Carolyn,” Patera said. “So she will be presenting the award at the banquet on Saturday night. The mayor has a pond and they do have some koi.” Goodman was out of country at the time of the show, but informed the club leadership that he intends to participate in the club’s next show. Pete described how the Las Vegas Club had been in the hunt to host the AKCA Seminar in 2009, but did not receive it. This result was attributed to their being a young club that had not hosted koi shows along with their limited involvement with other regional clubs. These were all matters that the Las Vegas Club is seeking to address. “A koi club grows just like a koi keeper,” Todo said. “You start out and you learn things, and you go to places and gain information, and experience. So it is not a matter of saying, hey let’s do it all today. It is a matter of let’s grow in the hobby and do it right.” It would be a safe bet to expect more great things from the Las Vegas Koi Club. For more about the Las Vegas Club check them out at www.lasvegaskoiclub.com. Southern Koi Association Launches 1st ZNA Show in Naples, Florida Joe White representing the Southern Koi Association ZNA shared with the audience what is in store at the 1st Southern Koi Association ZNA Koi Show to be held on Nov. 17- 19. “The show in Naples is special we think from several standpoints,” White said. “One thing is we have just a few major sponsors and have limited the vendors for this show. We didn’t want to have a lot of vendors show up especially fish vendors and have them disappointed if they all didn’t get enough sales.” There will be high quality vendors present, but the business model for this show is a bit different than in prior efforts of the club leadership in working with other clubs. Show Chairman John Sprinkle envisioned having a show with major sponsors, which they have achieved gaining support from Aquatic Ecosystems, Driftwood Garden Center, and the Naples Botanical Gardens where the show will be located. “The other thing that is a little bit different about this show is that through John and his business crew we are having a lot of the work done by people outside the club as far as setup and tear down,” White said. “John has said he wants people to be able to come and relax and not have to worry about all the physical labor involved in getting the show up and running and breaking it down. So we are really pleased that he has been able to bring all of that together for us.” The SKA leadership has put their heads together to find ways to make the entire show process easier on the membership. “We are having specially made 8’ diameter hard-sided poly-tanks being built for us to our specifications,” White said. “That is being done through Aquatic Ecosystems and a manufacturer here in Florida. So we are having a lot of new equipment at this show and very pleased to be having 8’ and 6’ hard-sided tanks.” Ease of use was a key factor in the decision to develop this newly designed product. As with the reputation of Naples itself this ZNA koi show should be first rate. To find out more about the Southern Koi Association visit their website at www.znaska.org. Young Koi Show and Barbecue in Gator Country David Hardcastle shared with the audience news of the upcoming Nov. 11 Gainesville Koi Club Young Koi Show. “We normally have our barbecue this time of year and we decided what the heck, let’s have a young koi show,” Hardcastle said. The club usually has quite a gaggle of folk show up down in Gator Country (Gainesville: Home of the University of Florida Gators) for the barbecue so they decided to set up some tanks and have a real blowout. Entries are expected from around the state of Florida and Hardcastle was open to the idea of adding tanks for any last minute entries that might require them. This show and social (with barbecue) is for koi 20” and under their owners and anyone else whether a club member or not who would care to participate. Hardcastle welcomes everyone and as a well-known owner of koi frequently winning grand champion awards his ponds and fish are well worth a visit. Lester Berkow is travelling up the state to judge this event. Check out more about this event and the Gainesville Koi Club at www.pondhoppers.org. Makings of a Golden Empire Koi Show Dave Cope shared with the audience details of the 7th Annual Golden Empire Koi Show, hosted by the Bakersfield Koi & Water Garden Society. The show was held October 20-22. Bakersfield for those not knowing is about 100 miles north of Los Angeles, California in the middle of the San Wakin Valley. The name Golden Empire is derived from the name given the southern San Wakin Valley. The Bakersfield Club began in 2000 and they have had a koi show every year of their existence. “The very first year we started the club it was in January of that year and a bunch of us were together and we asked ourselves well what are we going to do to get the word out about the club,” Cope said. “The next month in February someone said how about we have a koi show? The first thought was yeah right ( he laughed)!” With strong support from members with contacts in neighboring clubs they quickly swung into action borrowing tanks and putting on that first show and consecutive ones every year thereafter. “It is amazing as some clubs exist for years and years and never have a koi show,” John Hawley said. “Or they may be in existence for 10 or more years and not have a show.” To that Cope jokingly responded, “Well we didn’t have enough sense to know different.” Former Koi Kichi and San Diego grand champion koi were expected show at the event. The show is put on in association with a Home & Garden Show that provides the club free exhibit space and the opportunity to be viewed by 20,000-35,000 visitors per day for the three-day period! Obviously, the Bakersfield Koi & Water Garden Society knows how to put on a show. They may need encouragement to have a pond tour as they have not had one yet. Plus, the Bakersfield Koi & Water Garden Society is in need of a webmaster if anyone is able to assist. Meanwhile, the club can be contacted via Dave Cope at Dcope@dak.rr.com or 661-399-6195 A few of our scheduled guests for November include: -Dr. Kevin Novak will discuss what some consider a revolutionary new filtration system that he has developed. Contact Dr. Novak at drklnovak@hotmail.com. -Leroy Taba discussing his home club the Hawaii Goldfish and Carp Association. Check them out at www.hawaiigoldfishandkoi.org. -Mike Robinson, owner of Keystone Hatcheries discussing the threat to some domestic koi breeders and dealers due to the new Federal Order Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS). Meanwhile, this federal order can be viewed at the following link: www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/aqua/pdf/vhs-fed-order_ogc-changes.pdf -Tom Ayers, 2007 AKCA Seminar Co-Chairperson discussing not only the seminar prep, but also the upcoming Southern Arizona Koi Club Koi Show scheduled for Nov. 11-12. Visit www.vskc.net and link through for information on the 2007 AKCA Seminar. Contact Ayers about the Southern Arizona Koi Club Koi Show at azkoiboy@msn.com.