Today six snake head fish were observed by a local fisherman, he was able to catch an 11 inch fish ( seen below)
We made a call to the NJ Fish and Game and they advised use to kill the fish and any others caught.
They stated that these fish have show up in larger numbers this year.
snakeheads are invasive and should be destroyed and submitted to the Division of Fish and Wildlife for verification.
Snakeheads have recently been found in the lower Delaware River and some of its tributaries.
Why are invasive species a problem?
Invasive species are defined as "a species that is non-native to an ecosystem and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health."
- Predation: Large snakeheads and flatheads indiscriminately consume any fish species small enough to fit into their enormous mouths.
- Competition: Food, spawning areas and habitat are sought by invasive fish, leaving less available for desirable species.
- Habitat Loss: Plants like purple loosestrife or common reed (phragmites) can take over a wetland making it less suitable for native wildlife.
- Loss of Recreation: Bighead and silver carp threaten recreational boating as these large fish, when startled, leap out of the water high enough to intercept passing boaters.
- Decreased Property Value: Beautiful lakefront property can be transformed into a weed-choked monoculture once Eurasian water milfoil or water chestnut become established.
- Economic Impact: Zebra mussels cause millions of dollars of damage each year in the Great Lakes alone.
Potentially Dangerous Fish Species
New Jersey statutes prohibit the possession or release of live, potentially dangerous animals including fish. Dangerous species are defined as "a species that is non-native to an ecosystem and whose introduction causes, or is likely to cause, economic or environmental harm or harm to human health." The Fish Code identified ten such species (see below). These fish are considered to possess the potential for becoming a significant threat to indigenous animals, the environment, or public safety. Possession and/or release of live potentially dangerous fish species is prohibited and if these species are encountered while angling they must be destroyed. All but one of these species, the silver carp, has been found in New Jersey already.
Snakeheads and flathead catfish are top level predators and may negatively impact the structure of indigenous and established fish populations. Bighead carp and silver carp threaten human health as they leap out of the water when startled and may intercept passing boaters. When unregulated, grass carp are an invasive species that can over-graze aquatic vegetation, thus destroying fish habitat. Green sunfish and warmouths have a larger mouth than the state's native sunfish, thus have the ability to outcompete native fish. Asian swamp eel, brook stickleback, and oriental weatherfish are highly tolerant, generalist feeders that compete with native fish.
Anglers must destroy these species if encountered while fishing and are asked to submit specimen(s) to Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries personnel for verification. Fish and Wildlife's fisheries biologists can be reached at 908-236-2118 for northern New Jersey, and at 856-629-4950 for southern New Jersey.
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