Invasive Species Impacts

August 19th, 2008 · Comments

8/19

Invasive species are those that are not a normal part of an ecosystem or aquasystem. Usually invasive species are introduced by human beings on boats, anchor ropes, wet felt soles, ballast water, aquarium dumps, releasing little Sammy into the wild and similar incidents.

The resulting impact on the ecosystem or aquaculture can be devastating and expensive. In aquaculture envioronments, major game fish depletions may occur with resulting loss of income and jobs for those who depend on recreational fishing.

Invasive Species Impacts:

Reduce game fish populations
Ruin boat engines and jam steering equipment
Make lakes/rivers unusable by boaters and swimmers
Dramatically increase the operating costs of drinking water plants, power plants, dam maintenance, and industrial processes
Reduce native species

Degrade ecosystems
Affect human health
Reduce property values
Affect economy of water dependent communities

Reduction in game fish populations may occur through direct fish kills, reduction of native food sources, interference with the reproductive cycle and reduction of oxygen content in the water. Such reductions in game fish populations are usually related to reduced gear sales, guided trips, less vacation trips booked and similar reduction of revenue in the affected area.

Zebra mussels in particular clog water plant intake pipes resulting in increased operating costs. The also clog the water outlet pipes on power plants. Nuclear power plants in the Great Lakes region average $825,000 annually for zebra mussel control. Zebra mussels accumlate PCB’s and PAH’s in their tissues 300,000 times greater than normally found in the environment. Then they deposit these harmful chemicals in the pseudofeces. Ducks and fish will then pick up the chemicals and may cause harm for humans that eat them.

These are only some of the impacts that invasive species have on communities, mom and pop businesses that depend on recreational fishing, water and power plants, human health and other negative aspects resulting from human transportation of these non-native species. For more information on Invasive Species Imacts. See www.protectyourwaters.org website from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Coast Guard for much more information about Invasive Species.

For an Invasive Species List . The first in this series on Invasive Species. Next is Invasive Species Control

Tight Lines and Good Fishing,
Marshall, Editor
www.fly-fishing-colorado.com
www.110flyfishingtips.com
www.troutadventures.com
Alaska Trout Fishing Information

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