Wednesday

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Illegal fish introductions in Maine -- a disturbing trend

By JOE DEMBECK

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wi

There is an epidemic in this state that is quietly invading dozens of public waterbodies each year, in many cases altering the existing fish communities and directly affecting anglers. No, it is not a virus or invasive aquatic plants that I am speaking of. It is the illegal introduction of fish species to waters throughout the state. By now, most anglers and outdoor readers are aware that fisheries biologists with Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife have been focusing on such problems as smallmouth bass in the Rapid River and the recent introduction of northern pike to Pushaw Lake.

Unfortunately, these two examples are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the list of recent illegal introductions of fish species in this state. How big is the problem?

Since January 2005, IFW fisheries biologists have documented 50 new introductions.

Approximately another 10 reports of introductions were investigated and were either concluded to be misidentifications of fish or could not be substantiated through electrofishing or netting surveys performed by biologists. What species are most often introduced?

Northern pike, black crappie, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass account for 30 of these 50 introductions.

Golden shiner, rainbow smelt, fathead minnow, yellow perch, white sucker, brown bullhead, and white perch account for the other 20 introductions.

IMPACTS TOTHE FISHERIES DIVISION

Over the last several years IFW fisheries biologists have spent thousands of hours on public outreach, initiating new regulations, netting surveys, radio-telemetry studies, electrofishing, habitat analysis, and reviewing reclamation options all in order to contain and monitor illegal fish introductions. Unfortunately these activities have demonstrated that, except in unique situations, once an illegal species establishes a breeding population in a waterbody, it cannot be removed.

Our monitoring of illegal introductions also has documented the natural movement of these species to other waterbodies connected to the original point of origin. This year alone biologists have performed boat electrofishing surveys on three lakes Pleasant Lake (Alexander), Jacob Buck Pond (Bucksport) and Hermon Pond (Hermon) trying to confirm reports of new introductions; extensive netting surveys on Pushaw Lake and Mosher Pond to understand the extent of the recent northern pike introductions, and a third netting survey of Misery Pond to search for smallmouth bass that were reportedly caught there in 2004.

By focusing more time on documenting and attempting to contain illegal introductions, some of the fishery management and monitoring activities conducted by the regional and research fisheries biologists is being impacted. Instead of spending days and nights in the field searching for illegally introduction species I would certainly much rather spend that time evaluating how wild brook trout populations are responding to new regulations or surveying one of the more than 1,100 still unsurveyed ponds located throughout this state.

LEARNING FROM THE PAST

Documented introductions of fish species (non-native and native) have been occurring in Maine for over 100 years by federal agencies, state agencies, sportsmen groups, and private individuals. Reasons for these introductions are numerous but were most often driven by the desire to provide or enhance angling opportunities. From an angler's point of view some of these past introductions have had benefits, for example providing new fisheries for non-native species such as smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, brown trout, and rainbow trout and expanding the range of native species such as land- locked salmon, togue, white perch, and brook trout.

With the passing of time and the gain in knowledge about fisheries biology and aquatic ecology, fisheries professionals as well as anglers have learned that introducing any new species to a waterbody impacts the existing fish community, at times significantly altering the native fish community.

A DOUBLE STANDARD?

The introduction of new aquatic plant species to waterbodies on such a widespread basis would be met with public outcry and the extensive efforts that are already in place to deal with invasive aquatic plants would be greatly expanded. Why isn't there a similar concern for the protection of our fish communities in waters throughout the state? I have heard the argument from some anglers that many illegal introductions allow for more angling opportunities, for larger fish or species that provide angling throughout the open water and ice fishing seasons. Let's think about this for a second. A small group of selfish individuals are willing to alter existing fish communities in a waterbody and likely those upstream and downstream that can be accessed by the species as it naturally moves from the point of initial introduction.

We strive to protect and increase the game and non-game wildlife that inhabit the state, but the majority of anglers look at the illegal movement of fish species with little more than shrugged shoulders, in my opinion. Though there are a number of groups and individuals that are working with IFW to identify means to address the plague of illegal introductions, we need the angling community sitting on the sideline to become involved, for efforts to curb illegal introductions to be successful.

Maine is a state that has waters with thriving populations of both native species such as brook trout, land-locked salmon, white perch, and togue as well as historically introduced non-native species such as rainbow trout, brown trout, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass. We should enjoy the present fishing opportunities that abound throughout the state and work together to eliminate the current trend of illegal introductions.

Please do your part and report any information you may have on illegal introductions by contacting IFW's fisheries staff, the Warden Service, or calling Operation Game Thief at 1-800-253-7887.

Central Maine Newspapers • Augusta - (800) 537-5508 • Waterville - (800) 452-4666

Home TU Chapters Officers Friends Ft. Halifax Dam News Letter Bond Brook Photo Gallery