Status of ANS in Georgia

Ted Hendrickx Senior Fisheries Biologist

Gulf ANS Panel Meeting November 8-10, 2004

www.georgiawildlife.com 1 Georgia

www.georgiawildlife.com 2 To Gulf via Mississippi system

Atlanta airport

•USFWS Atlanta Savannah Port Atlantic • inspectors Brunswick

To Gulf

www.georgiawildlife.com 3 Georgia Facts

• 250+ species of fish have been collected • 20+ species of “exotic” and non-indigenous fish species reported in Georgia – Rainbow trout to Pacu… • 10+ species of “exotic” or nuisance aquatic plants found in GA waters • Other ANS (mussels, inverts, etc)

www.georgiawildlife.com 4 Fish • Pacu • Oscar • Grass carp • Red shiner • Asian rice/swamp eel • Tilapia (blue & Mozambique) • Bighead carp • Arowana

www.georgiawildlife.com 5 Invertebrates and Others

• Asian clam (Corbicula) • Green mussel • Freshwater jellyfish • Crawfish sp.

• Lionfish (saltwater) Source: USGS NAS

www.georgiawildlife.com 6 Aquatic plants • Hydrilla • Eurasian watermilfoil • Brazilian elodea • Water hyacinth • Giant salvinia • Common salvinia • Alligator weed • Parrot feather

www.georgiawildlife.com 7 State Authority

• Georgia DNR (WRD) • State Department of – Aquaculture Agriculture registration – Pet trade • “Domestic species” – Food fish sales (dead – Wild Animal licensing or processed) • Exotic species – Pesticide licensing • Commercial (no pets) – State veterinarian – Fish dealer licensing – Processing facilities • Certain exotic – Plant sales (retail & • Native nurseries)

www.georgiawildlife.com 8 Georgia Issues • Illegal releases – Intentional and deliberate establishment – “Kind-hearted” dumping • Angler-related movement • Escaped ornamentals/exotics • Commercial transportation – Ballast water • Aquaculture and research • “Hitchhikers”

www.georgiawildlife.com 9 Intentional Illegal Releases?

• Spotted bass (compete with largemouth bass) – Native to some Georgia Gulf drainages in NW GA • Flathead catfish (predation on other species) – Native to extreme NW Georgia • Blueback herring (competition & predation) – Native to Atlantic slope drainages in GA • Tilapia – Culture? Forage stocking?

www.georgiawildlife.com 10 “Kind–hearted” dumping?

• Pacu – 25+ locations around the state since 1980s • Oscar • Silver arowana

www.georgiawildlife.com 11 Escapes?

• Salvinia (water gardens?) • Hyacinth (ornamental?) • Grass carp (flood events) – Collected since 1970s • Tilapia (research)

www.georgiawildlife.com 12 Cast of Characters…

www.georgiawildlife.com 13 Challenges Ahead

• Develop ANS/AIS plan • Funding • Limited plant regulations/laws • Coordination with other agencies • Eradication and control activities • Education

www.georgiawildlife.com 14 www.georgiawildlife.com 15 Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division Fisheries Section – Ted Hendrickx (770) 918-6418 [email protected] WRD website: www.georgiawildlife.com