Wild Release

[Melody]

When I first started in the hobby independently of my parents, I was a babe in the waters. I promptly bought three common Goldfish with beautiful markings and put them in a 10G tank. I spoiled them rotten and they grew...and they grew....and they grew until those fish were actually spawning in the 10G tank. I was big on food and I was big on maintenance so I suppose that saved them, but I knew nothing of stunted growth. I believed the old 'the fish will grow to the size of the tank' myth.

Then I researched. As I learned it quickly became obvious that the fish could not stay in a 10G tank. I felt bad, but what to do? Then I remembered that as a little girl in New Brunswick, there had been Goldfish that my friends released into a ditch when they grew too big. The fish thrived there and got huge - we loved going to see them. That's what I would do! I could release them into a nice park, visit them, feed them and others could enjoy them too. Luckily I kept learning and found out that wasn't such a good idea after all. I gave them to a store in the Spring, where such big, healthy fish found good homes in ponds almost immediately.

Why it wasn't such a good idea...

There are several ways that non-native fish and plants can be introduced to the wild. Regardless of the source, the impact can and will effect the natural balance of that location. Food chains are broken, damage can occur on a massive scale, disease can devastate entire populations and hybridization can occur. Native fish and plants can disappear forever. Control measures cost billions and the impact on individuals dependent upon our waters for their livelihood is profound.

Where do they come from?

Hobbyists

The biggest threat to Canadian waters from hobbyists comes in the form of cold water creatures. However, we must remember that even if the fish we introduce cannot survive our cold climate, they can still introduce disease and possibly even hybridize with native species. Hobbyists must also be aware that introducing fish which are native to Canada in another location, can still have a negative impact.

Ponds: Think the creatures in your enclosed pond can't get out? Think again - birds, racoons and even the weather can take your pond occupants and/or their eggs into wild waters very easily. Floods can take your entire pond into the wild.

Dumping your unwanted aquatic plants in wild waters, keeping invasives in ponds and even flushing invasive plants can have devastating results. Some examples of invasive aquatic plants are Egeria densa, Salvinia molesta, Water hyacinth and Duckweed.

Even if you don't care about the environmental impact.....

Think of the impact on our hobby. Do you want our hobby to be so heavily regulated that we need permits to own and ship any fish or plant that may survive our climate? Don't think that will happen? Research the new crack-down on Applesnails in the US. Permits are only being issued for non-plant-eating snails. You can't ship any other snail across State lines, even if its legal to own them. It can happen and it will happen if we don't take responsibility, address the issues and most importantly, educate other fish-keepers.

Government / Business:

Of course, hobbyists aren't the only people to blame and some might argue that its just easier to point the finger at us as the problem. In reality, hobbyists are usually more concerned than businesses when it comes to environmental impact. For example, the Northern Snakehead (Channa argus) is documented as being introduced in the US by fish markets.

Then there's those creatures which are introduced as biological control of other pests. This is often a simple case of those responsible not looking beyond the end of their nose. The introduction of the Mosquito Fish (Gambusia holbrooki & Gambusia affinis) is a well-known example. The Grass Carp was first introduced in Alberta into irrigation canals for the study of aquatic vegetation control. They are learning though. Last Fall, for example, American Eels were reintroduced to the St. Lawrence River in an effort to control invasive aliens. The American Eel preys on fish like the invasive Goby and is a native fish. This method gives Mother Nature a boost without causing more problems with solutions.

Weather:

We can use the Applesnail again as an example of weather distribution. In Texas, storms are blamed for the spread of Applesnails. Twisters can pick up all sorts of creatures and let them down elsewhere, and flooding can move them for miles.

Boats:

Boats are often responsible for inadvertently introducing invasive plants and other aquatic non-natives. It is estimated that every single day, ship ballast water distributes over 10,000 alien species around the world. In fact, at least one third of the Great Lakes alien species is attributed to ship ballast water.

Is it really a problem for cold climates like Canada?

In the Great Lakes alone, there are over 160 introduced species of plants, fish, crustaceans and plankton. Yes, its a problem, and its a big one.

Dr. Hugh MacIsaac, director of the Canadian Aquatic Invasive Species Network (CAISN) states “Invasive aquatic species are changing the appearance and function of our ecosystems. In the Great Lakes, there is a new invasive species happening every seven months.”

According to a report filed by MacIsaac last year, 18 identified invasive species have an economic impact of $13 to $34 billion.

So what can we do as hobbyists?

Keep it in tanks or destroy it. You may be able to find a new home through our auction, classifieds, your local fish club, stores, schools or other public aquariums. If you cannot find a good home or return the creature to the store, you absolutely must put it down. Consider it a lesson learned the hard way. NEVER, under any circumstances, release into the wild.

Research! Find out about fish, etc. before you purchase them. Be aware of their size, aggression levels and breeding habits and make sure you can accomodate them for their entire lifespan.

Sell, share, swap, or dry aquatic plants.

Educate fellow hobbyists in a friendly, informative manner. Ridicule only alienates the person and in atmosphere's like forums, it discourages people from asking questions that may prevent them from making a huge mistake.

Encourage your local fish clubs and stores to get involved (resources below).

Work with the authorities and groups.

Links:

Keep Our Lakes Great

Don't Leave Them Stranded: What to do with unwanted aquarium plants and animals

Invasive Species in Canada Encyclopedia

Habitattitude

Aquarium and Pond Plants of the World - ID's invasives often seen in the aquarium trade.

Canadian Legislation & Policies - Ignorance is not an accepted defence in a court of law - please familiarize yourself with the laws:

Canadian Environmental Protection Act

Canadian Biodiversity Strategy

Plant Protection Act

Canada Agricultural Products Act

Canada Shipping Act

Pest Control Products Act and Regulations

Wildlife Policy For Canada


FREE resources for education!

This stuff is great for the individual to distribute, as well as for clubs and stores. There are ID cards, posters, fact sheets, downloads and more, absolutely free. You can even borrow videos, which would set the stage for an excellent club meeting presentation.

Invading Species of Canada

IP-Info Source (Invasive Plant Council of BC)

Now that you have your club all fired up about the issue, plan an event! There's even funding available for environmental clean up projects.

As hobbyists, lets be part of the solution instead of part of the problem!

You are welcome to use these graphics in your sig files, on your websites, etc, as long as it is linked to this article so we can educate those who are interested.

Please feel free to add your thoughts, suggestions and resources. Thanks!

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the contents are copyright Melody McKinnon and cannot be copied.
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[Melody]

There is growing concern about a snail invader that was first found in Lake Ontario in 1991, the New Zealand Mud Snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum). Why the concern? They compete with natives and interfere with ecosystems, but the main reason...

In some places in streams in Yellowstone National Park, they reach population densities of 323 individuals per square inch.



"What we can do is limit their expansion," says Levri. "That means that recreational water users must be very careful moving from one place to another. We advise anglers to freeze waders and fishing gear, or use Formula 409 or something like that to kill the snails." ~ Underwater Times Story

I'll also take this opportunity to remind you to NEVER release snails into the wild.

{Photos: United States Geological Survey}