From Sportfishing
Fish Report for 6-18-2009
CDFG Press Release: California Outdoors Q&A
6-18-2009
Marine Management News
Contact: Carrie Wilson, Communications Office, [email protected] .
*** View this column with images online at
www.dfg.ca.gov/QandA/2009/20090618.asp ***
Question: I ran into a bunch of guys recently who love to bass fish and
so have been moving bass into the rivers. They think it's ok, but I
think not because bass eat trout and salmon fry. They say the water is
too warm during the summer for trout. Is there anything we can do if we
know they are taking a bunch of bass to the rivers to dump? Who do I
contact if I know where and when it will be done next? (Anonymous)
Answer: Transporting and relocating live finfish from one body of water
to another in California can cause serious environmental problems and is
a serious offense punishable by fines and even jail time. If you have
knowledge of this activity, you should immediately call our CALTIP line
(888-DFG-CALTIP) and provide specific details, including suspect and
vehicle descriptions, license plate numbers and locations of where the
fish are being caught and dropped off.
Enormous problems can occur when live fish are transported from one
body of water to another without the permission of DFG! Aside from the
fact that the transported fish may not adapt well to their new
surroundings or even die, the introduced fish can potentially disrupt
the balance of existing species through increased predation, competition
for the same limited food sources, disease and parasites.
Predator/prey imbalance - Case in point: the illegal introduction of
northern pike into Lake Davis. This is a prime example of the havoc that
may be caused by the illegal introduction of a non-native species into a
body of water. The pike adapted well and reproduced quickly in their new
home, and soon began preying upon and out-competing the trout of this
premier fishery. Efforts to contain the pike and prevent their spread
into the Sacramento Delta system (which could have proven catastrophic
to the aquatic ecosystem, including California\'s salmonid fisheries)
were a huge task that went on for several years. A major rotenone
chemical treatment in 2007 is thought to have eradicated them, although
monitoring continues. Repairing the damage caused by this one illegal
fish introduction involved hundreds of staff and cost millions of
dollars.
Diseases - Another example of the consequences of people illegally
moving fish (though in another state) involved the clandestine
importation of trout into Colorado in the late 1980s. The fish carried
whirling disease, which ultimately caused the demise of many of that
state\'s world-class rainbow trout fisheries and resulted in millions of
dollars in damages and lost recreational opportunities for anglers.
According to Dr. William Cox, DFG Program Manager of Fish Production and
Distribution, this is but one example of many in which illegal fish
movement has spread disease. DFG maintains a staff of pathologists and
veterinarians to ensure that animals transferred from one location to
another are healthy and will not result in disasters like those cited
above.
Legal consequences - Law enforcement takes these illegal practices
quite seriously. According to Captain Sherry Howell, violations related
to moving live freshwater fish from one body of water and planting them
in another are misdemeanor offenses (CCR, T-14 Section 1.63 and FGC
Section 6400). These actions carry penalties ranging from fines of up to
$5,000 and/or up to a year in jail, or both (FGC section 12007).
If the violation involves an aquatic nuisance species (ANS) such as
northern pike, the penalties increase significantly. This is also a
misdemeanor but is punishable by jail time of six months to one year, a
fine of not more than $50,000 for each violation, or both (FGC section
12023). It may also include revocation of all of the defendant\'s
licenses and permits issued pursuant to the Fish and Game Code.
Also, the defendant can be held liable for damages to property and
fisheries, and all costs for public and private response, treatment and
remediation resulting from a violation involving an ANS (FGC Section
12023).
A reward may be available for those who provide information leading to
the arrest and conviction of a person found guilty of violating FGC
Section 6400 through the use of an aquatic nuisance species. Reports
can be made using the toll-free CALTIP number (888-DFG-CALTIP) 24 hours
a day, seven days a week. Callers' identities will remain anonymous.
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