Anglers are asked to NOT RELEASE Northern Snakehead alive. Anyone reporting a tag will receive a certificate of participation and a reward. You will be asked to provide information about the location, date, gear used and length of the tagged snakehead. If you catch a tagged snakehead, please call the toll free number 1-80. With the help of the public we can continue to control populations of Northern Snakehead where they exist, which should help minimize future negative impacts. For this reason we encourage anglers to target and harvest Northern Snakehead when captured.Īlthough it is doubtful that complete eradication can be achieved, control efforts have been successful. We have learned that harvest by anglers can remove over 25% of the local population, which goes a long way toward reducing snakehead numbers. For example, we have been studying the fish community in the Blackwater River drainage to assess changes following establishment of Northern Snakehead. We are monitoring the status of snakehead populations in several Chesapeake Bay tributaries, and are studying whether they can be controlled through removal. Learn more about invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars. The Maryland Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office is working with state and federal partners to determine the most effective way to reduce the spread of this invasive species invasive speciesĪn invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Authorities in all states are working to control snakehead populations, and prevent colonization of additional waterways. Northern Snakehead is listed as an injurious species under the Lacey Act, meaning it cannot be possessed or transported live. Northern Snakeheads have also been found in rivers in NY, PA, and AK. Soon after in 2004, snakeheads were found in the Potomac River, and have since been found throughout nearly all of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. In 2002, they were first found in a pond in Crofton, MD. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources directs those harvesting northern snakeheads to kill them immediately after they are caught. They also ask Maryland recreational fishers to report northern snakeheads by emailing a photo of their catch to with details including the number of snakeheads caught, the length of each fish and the location of capture (as specific as possible).Northern Snakehead is native to Asia but has successfully colonized the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Any snakehead fish that is caught should not be released back into the water. The introduction of nonnative species disrupts natural ecosystems, but there are actions people can take to prevent their spread.Īnyone who sees a snakehead fish in their local waterways should report the sighting to their state's natural resources department. alone, 4,300 of which are considered invasive. There are around 50,000 nonnative species in the U.S. Invasive species have increased as commerce and foreign travel have become more globalized. However, it is not uncommon for northern snakeheads to be illegally sold in areas where their sale is prohibited. To combat the spread of snakeheads in the U.S., the Lacey Act has made it illegal to ship snakeheads across state lines or own the invasive species in many states. Their flexible diets, ability to survive in a wide range of habitats, large spawning sizes (up to 1,500 eggs), and the actions they take to protect their young have allowed them to thrive in the northern United States and southern Canada. different snakehead fish showed a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity against Aeromonas hydrophila, Psedomonas aeruginosa, Vibrio anguillarum, P. Snakeheads were likely introduced to North America through unauthorized, intentional releases from aquariums or live food markets. Without natural predators, these aggressive carnivores can also outcompete native species for food and habitat, making them a threat to the function of local ecosystems. Invasive species are nonnative species that have been introduced to an area where they have a negative impact on local wildlife and ecosystems. Northern snakeheads are considered destructive predators because they prey on smaller fish and may spread parasites to native species. Northern snakehead fish are native to Asia but an invasive species in North America.
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