Several species of invasive fish have appeared in the Lower Delaware River basin and their growing numbers are posing a significant threat to native fish as well as harming the environment, writes Kerry Bates for the River Reporter.
According to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, freshwater drums, blue catfish, and the northern snakehead are some of the invasive species that have found their way into the river.
“They’re all piscivorous, meaning they eat other fish,” said Jacob Bransky, senior aquatic biologist at the Delaware River Basin Commission. “And they grow to large sizes, especially the blue catfish, so they can really consume a lot of the native species that are found in these systems.”
These invasive fish can repopulate faster than those being killed off, which creates a danger for the native species.
The commission officials are encouraging the public to help with reducing the population of invasive species. If an angler catches an invasive fish, they are asked to photograph and report it to the commission’s online invasive species form, then either prepare it for consumption or discard it by throwing it in the trash.
Read more about the invasive fish taking over the Lower Delaware River basin in the River Reporter.
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