3. Extermination of Invasive Species
Rivin, Gabe. “Getting Rid of Invasive Species With a Little Electric Shock – D-brief.” Dbrief.
Kalmbach Publishing, 24 Nov. 2014. Web. 22 Aug. 2015.
<http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2014/11/24/invasive-species-electric-shock/#.VdlCqvlVhBc>.
This article talks about a new way of getting rid of invasive species of fish that take over certain aquatic ecosystems. One example is the Brook Trout, which took over the upper Missouri River basin, leading a fight with the native species, the westslope cutthroat trout. Fishermen were debating whether or not to use toxic chemicals, called piscicides, to get rid of these invasive fish, but of course the possibility of harming the good fish was very likely. Instead fishermen turned to backpack electrofishing. These backpacks have generators powered by 24 volt batteries. These generators are attached to wands that fisherman can use to put in the water and shock the fish. The fish are only temporarily shocked, and while on this process the invasive fish are picked out from the native ones. So far the method has proven to be successful over the course of 13 years.
This method is definitely better than using hazardous chemicals that not only harm the fish but also have the possibility of harming the ecosystems. However, when it comes to the management of this method it can be very hard since it is done by individuals and it takes a long time. Also there is a possibility that the native fish that are electrocuted and survive, have other difficulties. Nothing has been tested on the state of the native fish after they are electrocuted and that’s something that is very important to consider.
Very interesting. Did not know that fishermen used generators attached to wands to shock fishes. Would continuing that method eventually take the invasive species out or does the invasive species bounce back to its normal population?
It completely wipes out the invasive species population if done correctly and efficiently.
As long as the aquatic ecosystems are not being harmed, I support this method of exterminating invasive species. Has this technique proven to be effective in other aquatic regions?
So far it has only been done in controlled areas such as this one
I do not agree that invasive species should be killed, I think that they should just be put in a separate area as to not harm other species. Chemicals should not be used if they also harm the ecosystem surrounding the species.
I somewhat agree. I do believe that if an invasive species is posing a big threat to a native species then its for the best to get rid of it intead of letting it wipe out the native species off its habitat.
This is a very interesting way in doing this. Does it harm the fish at all? If these fisherman are harming the native fish in any way there could be repercussions within the ecosystem.
It does not harm the fish on the long run, but it shocks them for a certain amount of time for fishermen to fish out the invasive species.