Help Prevent Illegal Introductions

Tuesday, April 20, 2004
Fishing

This article was Archived on Thursday, May 20, 2004

At least 20 percent of illegal fish introductions documented by FWP have occurred in the past ten years.   In total there have been more than 400 unauthorized fish introductions in waters across the state, involving 49 species of fish.

Illegally introduced aquatic species can:

harm native, wild and stocked fish populations;

spread disease;

impact water quality and aquatic habitat;

increase fishery management costs by requiring planting more fish

or even chemical rehabilitation to maintain or restore a fishery; and

diminish fishing opportunities in the state.

Protect the environment from illegal fish introductions and nuisance species by getting in the habit of taking these common sense precautions:

don’t move live fish, aquatic insects, or other aquatic organisms from one water to another for any reason;

don’t release aquarium fish into streams and lakes;

don’t release live baitfish into streams and lakes.

When FWP identifies an illegal introduction it conducts an investigation, may prosecute the violator and will require restitution for the costs of removing the introduced species and re-establishing the original fishery.   If you witness such a crime, report it by calling TIP-MONT at 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668).