Sad days in S. Florida

[tnhiker44]

I find it interesting how if a species is desirable (largemouth) 'we' do not seem to care that it is non-native to our area, or what impact it might have had on the fishery. The snakeheads show up and we are collectively out to kill every last one of 'em. We really are selfish creatures that are in way over our heads.

[gar-tracker]

A good visual example would be to look at the hyacinth clogged waters of Florida lakes, along with hydrilla both are exotics and provide a good example of what happens when a species, plant or animal, are introduced to any ecosystem that provides a similar environment. We spend millions trying to curtail the unwanted vegetation.   

Always look at the long term effect. The freeze did what nature wanted, cleaned a little house.

[0119]

There is nothing politically correct nor environmentally sound about my feelings on the subject.   South Florida at least on the west side has been dessimated more by the influx of people than by the influx of exotics.   Tilapia have totally pushed out the bluegill/shellcrackers here.   The Mayans have now come in and for me are a fishery all in their own.   They grow to about 3lbs and fight better than bass.   When tilapia and Mayans are juvenile they fatten up the landlocked Snook nicely.   Florida will survive the exotics but it wont survive the influx of northern'ers moving in and consuming/polluting the little water we have left.

[Tpayneful]

Dan,

Cold scale:

1 = Coldest

114 = Warmest

December 2009

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/get-file.php?report=nationalℑ=Statewidetrank&year=2009&month=12&ext=gif

Virginia 38th Coldest

December 2008

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/img/climate/research/2008/dec/12Statewidetrank_pg.gif

Virginia 94th Coldest

It seems like it is colder in my part of the country this year as opposed to last year.

[Grey Wolf]

There is nothing politically correct nor environmentally sound about my feelings on the subject. South Florida at least on the west side has been dessimated more by the influx of people than by the influx of exotics. Tilapia have totally pushed out the bluegill/shellcrackers here. The Mayans have now come in and for me are a fishery all in their own. They grow to about 3lbs and fight better than bass. When tilapia and Mayans are juvenile they fatten up the landlocked Snook nicely. Florida will survive the exotics but it wont survive the influx of northern'ers moving in and consuming/polluting the little water we have left.

d**n for a minute there I thought you were going to say cubans.

[Southflangler]

The point is that some fish may be non-native but not be invasive. The fish that are here and are non-native may not have a big impact on native species i.e. grass carp. The Mayan cichlids and peacocks and tilapia have an impact on the native wildlife being invasive. Invasive fish out compete native fish for food, reproduce faster, and have larger amounts of offspring.

[Dan:]

The point is that some fish may be non-native but not be invasive. The fish that are here and are non-native may not have a big impact on native species i.e. grass carp. The Mayan cichlids and peacocks and tilapia have an impact on the native wildlife being invasive. Invasive fish out compete native fish for food, reproduce faster, and have larger amounts of offspring.

But new species don't even have to do things that significant to change or damage an ecosystem. To use your example, grass carp can actually affect very minute aspects of a body of water that can result in major changes to the whole ecosystem. Anytime you introduce ANYTHING into an ecosystem (plants, animals, bugs, etc...) there is a chance that they might affect some small, unforeseen piece of the ecosystem that can domino into larger problems. It's the law of unintended consequences.

[Southflangler]

Sure. The grass that the carp eat is invasive. It's a compounding problem.

[South FLA]

The point is that some fish may be non-native but not be invasive. The fish that are here and are non-native may not have a big impact on native species i.e. grass carp. The Mayan cichlids and peacocks and tilapia have an impact on the native wildlife being invasive. Invasive fish out compete native fish for food, reproduce faster, and have larger amounts of offspring.

Bingo!!!!!  Peacock bass would have never been introduced if it were for the "invasive" problem (mayans, tilipia, etc).  Therefore, I would have to agree that ideally all invasive and non invasive exotic species do more long-term harm to the local ecosystem than good. 

Sure the Peacock bass fights harder and I would rather catch one over a largemouth, BUT so does a Nile Perch!  If those of you who state you don't see a problem with exotics due to X reason (fight, economic impact, etc.)  Why not introduce a better fighting species into your local waters that has a better economic impact (i.e. Introducing Nile Perch into brackish and fresh waters of Florida for its sporting and economic impact).  This would be the extension of the logic correct?

Nevertheless, I am happy we have Peacocks and Oscars around or should I say had....they fight great, but in the back of my mind I will always think that someway these exotics are limiting my ability to catch the 15lb. monster largemouth since exotics have a a direct impact on total biomass a body of water can support.