Invasive Species Meets Pop Culture

Invasive species continue to make the news with the advances of aquatic invaders like the Asian Carp and Snakehead.  The news is not lost on pop culture and there have been a few recent instances of these pests making the pages and airwaves of comedy outlets.

The Onion is a news organization known for it's satirical look at all news items. They recently mentioned the Snakehead and posted this on their website.  While not entirely true, it's a funny look at this indestructible, pesky and invasive fish species.

Saturday Night Live recently mentioned the brown tree snake invasive species problem in American territory Guam. They mentioned a possible solution: "air-dropping mice laced with poison and fitted with parachutes. Because sometimes the best solution is the simplest one." It might work...you never know.

At least someone is finding some humor in a problem that is no laughing matter. We think the attention is good and hope the extra awareness lets everyone know that preventing the spread of invasive species really is an issue.

Where does my money from fishing licenses and tags go?

That is a question you might have asked yourself as you forked out your yearly fees for a fishing license.  Some states are worse than others when it comes to fees: trout stamps, extra rod stamps, saltwater stamps, species tags, etc. The price can get out of hand quickly; even more so if you are from out of state.

So what happens to all this money?  Are the fish and game officials making big bucks as they check your licenses?  Are states profiting from the natural resources? 

These are all fair questions, but the truth is that this money is often used to preserve our resources.  Projects are developed to improve habitat and access as well as to control the spread of invasive species. We found this article from the Lincoln, Nebraska Journal Star that details just how in depth (and expensive) these projects are.  Check it out, it's eye opening and makes you realize that this money is put to good use.

• Arnold Lake in central Nebraska, fish renovation, excavation, ADA fishing pad/boat launch, and shoreline improvements, $563,000.
• Bowling Lake near the Lincoln Air Park, ADA parking pad, two fishing decks, sidewalk and railings tailored for use by wheelchair-bound anglers, $150,000.
• Burchard Lake Wildlife Management Area, northwest of Pawnee City, new dam outlet, boat ramp and dock, breakwater with a fishing pier, four angler access pads, deep-water shoals, shoreline stabilization and rattlesnake conservation, $1.7 million.
• Carter Lake near Omaha, fish renovation, alum treatment to settle pollutants, dredging, sediment retention basins, 17 angler access pads, and 2,000 feet of bank angler access, $7.2 million from 11 government agencies and three local groups.
• Fremont State Recreation Area in Dodge County, fish renovations at four lakes, alum treatments at 11 lakes, 16 fishing pads/lawns at nine lakes, deep-water piers at five lakes, ADA boat access at lake No. 2, and fishing access trails at eight lakes, $800,000.
• Gacie Creek Pond in Loup County, sediment excavation, dam outlet replacement, $162,000.
• Harlan County Reservoir near Alma, dredging, breakwater improvements at Gremlin Cove and Patterson Harbor, ADA fishing pier and angler access improvements, $1.9 million.
• Louisville State Recreation Area in Cass County, angler-friendly fishing piers on every lake, covered ADA fishing pier, and five launch areas for canoes, kayaks and float tubes, $340,000. 
• Valentine National Wildlife Refuge in Cherry County, new or improved ADA fishing piers, boat docks, ramps and parking lots at six lakes, carp barriers and improved water-control structures, $750,000.
• Victoria Springs State Recreation Area near Anselmo, fish renovation, excavation and lake liner installation, replaced collapsed outlet tube on dam, ADA fishing pad, boat launch and improved shoreline access, $680,000.
• Willow Lake Wildlife Management Area in Brown County, improved berm and dike to maintain higher water levels, carp barrier, and fish renovation, $39,250.

The Great Debate: Hydrilla

Everyone seems to have an opinion about the plant known as Hydrilla.  Unknown to many is the fact that this aquatic plant is actually an invasive species.  It is well known that fish (especially bass) love hydrilla, but it is something that can easily overwhelm a water system and create problems for boat navigation and even worse; damage to native plant and animal species.  Too much of a good thing really is a bad thing.

The great debate has really been heating up in Florida and more specifically on the world famous bass fishing destination known as the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes.  The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has held a series of public meetings to address the hydrilla epidemic.  As they say in a recent article, everyone is affected and all have their own opinion on what to do with this aquatic invader, "Not only anglers and waterfowlers, but groups including bird-watchers, lake-front residents, recreational boaters, airboaters and owners of fish camps, tackle shops and marinas each have their own notions regarding how much hydrilla they consider to be ideal for their interests." 

No matter which side of the debate, everyone realizes that there needs to be some control with hydrilla.  It's not just happening in Florida, hydrilla continues to spread across the country and it grows very fast, you might even say it grows like a weed.

It's not all bad news with hydrilla.  

Besides being good fish habitat "Hydrilla provides food for a non-native variety of apple snails, which first appeared on Lake Toho in 2005 and became the primary food source for snail kites, which came to Lake Toho in 2007. Kites, which are medium-sized hawks, swoop down to capture snails as they breathe and feed near the surface in hydrilla beds.

Welch said it may be the first time in the United States that an endangered species is surviving on an exotic snail that feeds on an exotic plant -- hydrilla"

Even with the benefits from hydrilla, the debate often turned heated at the FWC meetings and they often "turned contentious, with groups taking the FWC to task and arguing among themselves."  

There is no doubt that something needs to be done with hydrilla, but to what level and the best methods are open to debate.  The FWC and other state and federal agencies are doing what they can to ensure that everyone is happy and the best interest of the ecosystems are taken into account. A good example of this comes from the news article when it states that "FWC is demonstrating a good-faith effort to understand hydrilla's importance to its stakeholders and showing a willingness to leave hydrilla in areas where it does not compete with native plants."

10 Ways to Be More Aware of Invasive Species

The fact that National Invasive Species Week has come and gone doesn't mean we have to stop paying attention to the problem at hand.  We just came across another blog posting called "10 Ways to Be More Aware of Invasive Species".  It outlines ten ways that you can be involved and do your part to spread awareness.  Here is the list:

1. Do Some Research
2. Join in an Eradication Effort
3. Become a Citizen Scientist
4. Visit a Garden, Park, Protected Beach or Nature Center
5. Read a Book
6. Donate
7. Start a Garden
8. Legislate
9. Take the Invasive Species Challenge
10. Spread Awareness

We particularly like this list as it put together in a way that almost anyone can become involved.  Here is a breakdown of the list and what we took from each of the ten items on the list.

1. Research is a pillar of the AERF and the article shares a great resource for anyone to research invasive species.  You can see it here.

2. Join in an Eradication Effort.  What a great idea!  This could be anything from removing unwanted plants or lake cleanup.  Check with your state's wildlife agencies to see how you can help.

3. Become a citizen scientist.  While most science should be left to actual scientists, we recommend contacting local and state agencies to see if there is anything you can do to help as a volunteer.

4. Visit a Garden, Park, Protected Beach or Nature Center.  In doing this step, we can all become familiar with native plants and animal species.  It also serves as a reminder for why controlling the spread of invasives is so important to us all.

5. Read a book. This one requires very little effort or time and can help increase you knowledge about invasive species. Why not start with the Encyclopedia of Invasive Species.

6. Donate.  Find a cause that is important to you and give back.  Many of these organizations depend on the support of the donations to survive.

7. Start a garden. Make sure to include natural plants and remove all invasive species.  

8. Legislate.  The article recommends individuals to "Write a letter to your local, state or provincial representative or get involved with an activist group. Let your lawmakers know your opinion about the impact of invasive species on your natural heritage".  We agree!

9. Take the Invasive Species Challenge.  Do it!  For boaters and fishermen the article explains how  you should "clean, drain, and dry your boat trailer and gear every time you leave a body of water. Check fishing lines and bilges for scraps of algae. Regularly scrub your hull if you transport your vessel to new locations."

10. Spread Awareness.  This one is easy.  Share your knowledge of invasive species with friends and family.

Invasive Species at the Bassmaster Classic

Fishing fans, and bass fishing fans in particular are focusing their attention on this weekend's Bassmaster Classic.  "The Superbowl of bass fishing" draws fans from all over the country and this year it will also draw awareness to Invasive Species. An issue that affects all types of anglers and non-anglers alike is getting a great deal of attention at the popular Classic Expo.  

Fishhound.com is "aligning with Recycled Fish, the Mississippi River Basin Panel, Clean Angling and DICK’S Sporting Goods as part of an extensive effort to gain widespread attention for invasive species prevention."  

Part of their goal at this show is to promote National Invasive Species Awareness Week  (which starts February 28).  One way they are doing this is by launching a 10 week series that focuses on prevention the spread of invasive species.

Another tool they are using to promote the cause is an interactive game aimed at the next generation. "The game, Whac-a-Mussel, designed to entertain as well as inform, will help engage fishing enthusiasts and increase their understanding of the importance of invasive species prevention. National Invasive Species Awareness Week will also be promoted to over 240,000 Fishhound Facebook fans, with interactive posts to create awareness and teach people about invasive species."

If you are at the Classic, make sure to stop by and play the game!

Next Week is National Invasive Species Awareness Week

You know things are serious when a cause gets it's own week named after it.  Sure they have numerous weeks of awareness that most people are definitely not aware of, but still.  It's good to see a cause like the fight against the spread of invasive species get the attention and credibility it deserves.

In Washington D.C., many leaders and organizations will gather next week to discuss methods for control and to think of solutions to fix this problem.  The week includes "activities, briefings, workshops and events focused on strategizing solutions to address invasive species prevention, detection, monitoring, control, and management issues at local, state, tribal, regional, national and international scales."

This is truly a national effort and will include organizations including: The Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, the Federal Interagency Committee for the Management of Noxious and Exotic Weeds, the Great Lakes Commission, the Federal Interagency Committee on Invasive Terrestrial Animals and Pathogens, the United States Botanic Garden, and many others.

For more info check out their website.

So what are you going to do to celebrate NISAW?

Who Pays the Price for Invasive Species?

We all pay for invasive species one way or another.  It could be the cost of lost access, poor water quality or even complete decimation of our favorite body of water; but invasive species cost everyone financially as well.

The StarTribune in Minnesota recently published an article entitled "Who pays for invasive species battle? How much?" that outlines just how expensive this problem is becoming.  It's not just Minnesota, this is something that is happening across the country.  The DNR in Minnesota used the services of a consulting firm to find out exactly how much it would cost to help prevent the spread.  The numbers are huge.  According to the article the "The annual costs range from around $8.6 million, which is what the DNR will spend in the coming year, to the $600 million for total boat inspections. And even those eye-popping numbers don't cover prevention efforts for Asian carp."

If those numbers do not get your attention, nothing will.  As we all know, these costs will ultimately be passed on to the taxpayers.  Since much of the most frequent users of these water resources are boaters and fishermen; we will be an easy target for additional taxes and regulations.  It would be easy for the states to increase the taxes and additional fees for boat registration, fishing tackle, boat ramps, gas, fishing tournaments and many more things that are crucial items needed for someone looking to spend an enjoyable day on the water.

The costs and fees are something to watch.  Without getting involved in the politics and efforts of legislators, the best thing to do is to do your part to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.  We know you agree that this is something that needs to be watched.