Aquatic Invasive Species

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Aquatic Invasive Species

• of the Thompson / Shuswap Region

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What we will cover..

• Overview of invasive fish species
• Impacts of invasive species
• Distribution of invasive species
• Options for rectifying invasive species

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What is a Spiny Ray?

• A freshwater spiny ray fishs dorsal fin contains
  a series of spines

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What are invasive species?

• In the Thompson/Shuswap region aquatic (fish)
  invasive species are
• Spiny Ray Fishes
• Smallmouth Largemouth Bass
• Yellow Perch
• Pumpkinseed

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Where are they now?

• Found in 9 Shuswap/Thompson region lakes
• Skmana/Little Skmana
• Skimikin
• Gardom
• Phillips
• Nellies
• Forest
• Miller
• Fleming

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What are the impacts?

• Minor species interactions
• Disease
• Predation
• Disturbance of food chain habitat
• Parasitism
• Extinction of native species

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Why should we care?

• Invasive fish species threaten
• Trout
• Salmon
• Whitefish
• Char
• Invasive species disrupt entire ecosystems
• Invasive species can cause economic hardship
• Invasive Species can lead to fishery closures
• Invasive species can lead to extinction of
  local/native species

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What are some options?

• Option 1 Biological Controls
• Diseases affecting the invasive species
• Biological (sterilization) control agents
• Pheromone trapping
• Predator introduction

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What are some options?

• Option 2 Physical Controls
• Nets and traps
• Containment barriers
• Explosives
• Electrical devices
• Draining lakes or streams

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What are some options?

• Option 3 Chemical Controls
• Introduction of target chemicals
• Rotenone is most well known for fish targeting
• Natural fish toxin derived from plants
• Used since mid 1600s
• First used in BC in 1947
• Low toxicity to birds and mammals
• Easily dispersed
• Allows systems to be restarted

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What else are we doing?

• Public education / community input
• Offering a reward for information
• Lake treatments
• Monitoring programs
• Inventory/assessment

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What can you do?

• Transporting invasive species is illegal
• Report suspicious activities to
• RAPP 1-877-952-7277
• Report invasive species sightings
• Educate yourself