August 28, 2012 at 4:55 pm
[caption id="attachment_407" align="alignleft" width="300"]
Biologists mix the chemical Rotenone with water taken from the pond prior to application[/caption]
As expressed in Goldfish part 1, those little inconspicuous, simple fish that may be residing in your outdoor pond could easily be an enormous problem! While goldfish seem innocuous, they are more than capable of devastating the fragile natural ecological make-up of local waters. But now they are in a water body outside, where they are not legally allowed to be, and something needs to be done to control the situation. There are a couple of ways that this can be done, and some are more expensive or more complicated than others.
To reclaim small ponds, biologists use the commonly used insecticide and piscicide chemical called rotenone; this chemical is naturally occurring in the roots of some plants in the bean family in South America, Australia, and Southern Asia. Rotenone is a restricted-use pesticide; IFW biologists who use rotenone are certified rotenone applicators and must participate in multiple training sessions a year. Rotenone is effective in euthanizing any gill-breathing creature as it coats the gills and inhibits oxygen transfer and cellular respiration.
Typically, it takes 12-24 hours for the chemical to euthanize a fish population in a small pond. However, there are always exceptions. Ponds with oxygen seep holes provide areas where fish can seek refuge and survive the rotenone. The goal behind reclaiming private ponds is to eradicate the population of undesirable fish.
[caption id="attachment_406" align="alignleft" width="300"]
A biologist certified for using rotenone applies the chemical to the pond.[/caption]
With so many calls for aid in reclaiming small, private ponds, IFW fisheries biologists are taxed with time and resources. Thus, ponds are evaluated, taking into consideration how large the pond is, the make-up of the pond including depth, acreage, and if there are inlets or outlets. If there are inlets or outlets, or if the pond at high water has the potential of flowing into a neighboring stream, river, or pond and poses a threat to public waters, that pond is a high priority candidate for reclamation.
It is important to remember that reclaiming any pond is not only very expensive monetarily, it is also very expensive regarding time spent by biologists. While IFW biologists and ME DEP are collaborating to find a less expensive and equally effective way of exterminating undesired goldfish, it is critical that prior to any type of treatment, a local fisheries biologist be contacted to survey the pond and area to ensure that the type of treatment will not adversely effect the surrounding environment.
Please remember that any species of fish, no matter if it is as large as a muskie or as small as a goldfish or smelt, can decimate fragile native species. Any fish manually moved from one place to another can and usually does have lasting, irreversible effects on the body of water they are put into. Respect our environment and heritage, don’t move live fish. Not only is it illegal, but even the smallest fish can devastate an entire lake and/or river system.
For more information regarding how to obtain a fish permit or for the number to contact your regional fisheries biologist, please refer to the links on the right side of this page.
If you suspect somebody of transporting live fish or illegally stocking any body of water, please contact Operation Game Thief, an anonymous hotline, at 1-800-253-7887.
Biologists mix the chemical Rotenone with water taken from the pond prior to application[/caption]
As expressed in Goldfish part 1, those little inconspicuous, simple fish that may be residing in your outdoor pond could easily be an enormous problem! While goldfish seem innocuous, they are more than capable of devastating the fragile natural ecological make-up of local waters. But now they are in a water body outside, where they are not legally allowed to be, and something needs to be done to control the situation. There are a couple of ways that this can be done, and some are more expensive or more complicated than others.
To reclaim small ponds, biologists use the commonly used insecticide and piscicide chemical called rotenone; this chemical is naturally occurring in the roots of some plants in the bean family in South America, Australia, and Southern Asia. Rotenone is a restricted-use pesticide; IFW biologists who use rotenone are certified rotenone applicators and must participate in multiple training sessions a year. Rotenone is effective in euthanizing any gill-breathing creature as it coats the gills and inhibits oxygen transfer and cellular respiration.
Typically, it takes 12-24 hours for the chemical to euthanize a fish population in a small pond. However, there are always exceptions. Ponds with oxygen seep holes provide areas where fish can seek refuge and survive the rotenone. The goal behind reclaiming private ponds is to eradicate the population of undesirable fish.
[caption id="attachment_406" align="alignleft" width="300"]
A biologist certified for using rotenone applies the chemical to the pond.[/caption]
With so many calls for aid in reclaiming small, private ponds, IFW fisheries biologists are taxed with time and resources. Thus, ponds are evaluated, taking into consideration how large the pond is, the make-up of the pond including depth, acreage, and if there are inlets or outlets. If there are inlets or outlets, or if the pond at high water has the potential of flowing into a neighboring stream, river, or pond and poses a threat to public waters, that pond is a high priority candidate for reclamation.
It is important to remember that reclaiming any pond is not only very expensive monetarily, it is also very expensive regarding time spent by biologists. While IFW biologists and ME DEP are collaborating to find a less expensive and equally effective way of exterminating undesired goldfish, it is critical that prior to any type of treatment, a local fisheries biologist be contacted to survey the pond and area to ensure that the type of treatment will not adversely effect the surrounding environment.
Please remember that any species of fish, no matter if it is as large as a muskie or as small as a goldfish or smelt, can decimate fragile native species. Any fish manually moved from one place to another can and usually does have lasting, irreversible effects on the body of water they are put into. Respect our environment and heritage, don’t move live fish. Not only is it illegal, but even the smallest fish can devastate an entire lake and/or river system.
For more information regarding how to obtain a fish permit or for the number to contact your regional fisheries biologist, please refer to the links on the right side of this page.
If you suspect somebody of transporting live fish or illegally stocking any body of water, please contact Operation Game Thief, an anonymous hotline, at 1-800-253-7887.Categories