Anyone living in central Pennsylvania is familiar with the Susquehanna River. As the longest river on the East Coast, it stretches over 444 miles from Otsego Lake in New York to the Chesapeake Bay in MD. Much of its path runs directly through the heart of the Keystone State, where it supplies fresh water, offers recreational fishing and boating opportunities, and plays a vital role in flood control.
Unfortunately, the river is under siege.
As one of Pennsylvania’s most significant sources of freshwater, the Susquehanna River is vital to the survival of those who call its drainage basin home. Every year, we hear about threats to the river- pollution, sediment, and pharmaceuticals. The list goes on, but one threat that many overlook is the introduction of invasive aquatic species.
When flathead catfish were first observed in the Susquehanna drainage, they were met with fear. Anglers were told to catch & kill any they found. Scientists warned of impending damage to natural species and habitats should they spread. A few years ago, snakeheads were found in the lower portions of the river and some of its tributaries. Again, scientists warned of the danger another invasive species posed. Again, anglers were advised to catch and kill any snakeheads found. But this time the response was different. Anglers pushed back, asking, “How can they make me kill them?”. Some even moved live fish to new locations to help the spread.
Today, we are facing a third round of an invasive fish species making its way towards the Susquehanna River. This time, it is the blue catfish, a native of the Mississippi Basin, that is quickly making a home for itself in the Chesapeake Bay and moving north. The outrage from sportsmen is almost nonexistent. Anglers are flocking to the Bay, and even the lower Susquehanna, in hopes of catching potentially giant examples of the largest catfish species in America.
The lack of concern, and even delight, on the part of sportsmen is even more concerning than the fact that yet another invasive species is calling the Susquehanna home. Despite what some may think, invasive species such as flatheads, snakeheads, and blues are more destructive than any of the other threats we frequently hear about. They are not a new opportunity that can be ignored or even embraced without serious consequences down the road.
- Invasive species feed on native species and the other aquatic organisms that native species rely on.
- Most invasive species have no natural predators outside their normal range.
- Many invasive species grow faster or larger than native species, allowing them to become the dominant predators quickly.
- The loss of native species disrupts the entire ecosystem of the river.
- Former food sources grow unchecked while other species are decimated.
- The entire food chain is put into a tailspin, habitats are altered, and as time passes, the damage continues to spread.
So, what can we do? This depends on what you mean by “we”. Conservation officials often struggle to control invasive species once they are established. This is because by the time someone confirms their presence, it means a population has already been established. On a smaller, contained body of water, the answer is eradication. On a river as large as the Susquehanna, this is near impossible. This is where sportsmen come in.
Sportsmen need to recognize the danger that invasive species present. Regardless of how fun they are to catch, how great they taste, or how you feel about other non-native species, you can not encourage their spread. You certainly cannot contribute to that spread by moving live specimens to new locations.
If you catch an invasive species, do not release it back into the water. Harvest it and dispose of it accordingly.
- Never move an invasive species from one location to another. Even if eliminating a species is impossible, its spread is often slow and more easily mitigated. However, when artificially accelerated, this timeline becomes more challenging to counter.
- Never discard bait into the water. Many invasive species are accidentally spread in this manner.
- Always clean your boat, waders, and gear before moving from one area to another. Again, it is suspected that some of the most dangerous invasive species were spread as hitchhikers by unsuspecting sportsmen.
- Never release aquarium pets in the wild. What you consider a cute addition to your home aquarium can become the next top predator when released into an unfamiliar waterway.
For the latest information on invasive species, how to identify them, and what to do should you locate one, check out the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission or Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection websites.
Photo Courtesy of NOAA.gov.
Tom Burrell grew up hunting, fishing and exploring the wilds of Northeast Pennsylvania. After serving in the Marine Corps and Coast Guard he returned to PA as a Waterways Conservation Officer and settled in Cumberland County. Now he spends his time once again exploring the woods and waters of the Keystone State.
This is a terrific article. If only there was a way for people to understand what we are losing when we replace natives with the invaders.