Hi.

In my local tackle shop today, I was told of a number of captures of assorted Catfish, including an albino from the Thames. It is believed these were illegal introducions after they outgrew aquariums.Other 'aliens' have appeared elsewhere.

As Anglers and Conservationists, what is the right thing to do if an 'Alien' is caught?.
Do we return it or knock it on the head to maintain the 'proper' species balance. I am not talking about commercial puddles here.

I think I know what I might do, I saw a posh catfish in an aquarium shop for £1500.00!.

Adrian

good question i think that it is an offence carrying a fine to return them?
but as anglers care about fish could they kill them to stay legal?
possibly "what is it woops it slipped!"
so long as its not diseased or a real threat to the water,but how do you judge its threat?

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ANMC FOUNDER MEMBER
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That would probably qualify as an illegal fish transfer!

It is a good question though: it's not likely to be a problem that presents itself to me any time soon (not enough "normal" fish up here, let alone exotics - and even less problem with rivers, 'cos we can't fish 'em due to the trout and salmon interests completely stitching up access), but I really doubt I could knock such fish on the head just to stay on the right side of the law - and I'm very law abiding.

The only time I think I could do it would be if there was clear evidence that a particular species was having a detrimental effect on the water concerned.

And as I say, it's academic where I fish...

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Keith

Blyth,
Northumberland

mailto:keith@go-fishing.co.ukkeith@go-fishing.co.uk
http://www.wacacnet.co.uk

hi adrian, i don`t think i could kill for that reason alone, i used to return picture perfect perch to a certain trout water, the rule was they had to be removed (killed or thrown on the bank), slightly different i know, but the same end result for the fish.
andy.

One of the differences between the U.K, and the U.S, is that we(Americans) seem to be a bit more open to direct involvement in the management of our fisheries. By that I mean that we have not yet elevated the fish to the level of deity, and if killing some is good for the whole of a population, then we do it. We even keep some to eat on occasion, oh, the humanity!!! That being the case, if a species is any threat at all to the local habitat or ecosystem, I would have no problem dispatching it. We are currently having a severe problem with European Ruff and Round Gobies invading many parts of Lake Michigan, and I kill every one I catch. Period. They are causing a crash in the local perch population due to direct competition for food and resourses, and they have no natural enemies. In a situation like this to not kill them is far worse for your local fisheries than to "let them slip back", in some poorly thought out act of kindnes.

Adrian,
It is an interesting question and I suspect we may be expected to remove said fish. That said cats have been in our rivers for decades and because they don't appear to breed to the same extent in our cooler waters they present less of a problem to the ecology of our rivers than in mainland europe. Oh and whilst cats are an obvious exotic what other fish are so classed ?

Rob.

Hi Rob,

"cats" include things like channel cats and the other aquarium catfish - not just the wels - so they would certainly be included (to be honest, in some circumstances wels cats are classed in the same category from the point of view of being targetted for removal - Hell, even zender are included in some circumstances, I seem to recall).

Then you've got your (non-native) sturgeon and sterlets, and the more unusual carp species - blue carp... (actually that's the only one I can think of! )

Some waters even have little critters like Pumpkinseeds (there's even a UK record for that species) yet as a US species, they are presumably included; a few lakes have largemouth bass and the like...

And I'm certain there are plenty more.

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Keith

Blyth,
Northumberland

mailto:keith@go-fishing.co.ukkeith@go-fishing.co.uk
http://www.wacacnet.co.uk

[This message has been edited by Keith (edited 03 July 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Keith (edited 03 July 2001).]

I suppose there are cases where fish transfers have drastically changed the natural 'balance', Windemere, I believe is suffering from roach and Ruffe scoffing the eggs of an endangered species, is it the char?.

I have heard of tropicals that have been dumped by aquarists colonising areas where there is a regular warm water supply, for example a factory outfall. I believe there is a canal with a local population of Cichlids.

I must admit to being undecided on the matter. I suspect though, that any 'Alien' may end up as a treat for 'Boris', my cat.

Cheers. Adrian

We had a situation a few years ago where some Oscars (a tropical Cichlid) were released in the Florida Everglades. Apparently it was warm enough there for them to thrive. They are now a sought after sports fish as they are serious fighters. They occupy much the same niche as bluegill, pumpkinseed, and other local sunfish. Max weight probably reaches 3lbs or so. Haven't caused any serious problems though.

as anglers I dont think most of us would know if a particular fish was having a debtrimental effect on a water,
Eel for example are one of the original native species in the U,K, But alot of the people on this forum would sooner throw them on the bank, or kill them, that is not because they are thought as being bad for the water but because most of you dont like to handle them, or because they have just swallowed a 3 pence hook, you dont through perch on the bank just because they have swallowed your hook do you?
I say leave ALL the fish to get on with it and let nature "cull" the species that need it,
Are you happy to catch Orfe in lymm vale,
or ghoast carp because they are a decent size?,
Big Pike are also missunderstood by most anglers, "bang it on the head most would say not thinking of the later effect on a fishery when they are over run with Jacks,
I know this is of the subject a bit but I feel it relavent

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Tony B.T Jolley