The Hunt For The Southernmost Snakehead. Thirty-one fishery biologists from eleven agencies participated in a two-day Fish Slam event. Thirty-five sites in Broward and Miami-Dade counties were sampled for non-native fishes.
7-8 November 2017 – Thirty-one fishery biologists from eleven agencies participated in a two-day Fish Slam event. Thirty-five sites in Broward and Miami-Dade counties were sampled for non-native fishes. Sampling gear included electrofishing boats, backpack electrofisher, minnow traps, cast nets, seines, dipnets, and hook and line. Twenty species of non-native fishes were collected or observed. This is the 6th Fish Slam event since our program began in 2013. For general information on Fish Slam events, please see the webpage for our group, the Florida Non-native Fish Action Alliance.
USGS researchers are currently working on a project to detect bullseye snakehead Channa marulius with environmental DNA (eDNA). An assay was developed at the USGS genetics laboratory that allows researcher to detect the presence of snakehead DNA in water samples. While working on this project, researchers received an unexpected positive hit for snakehead eDNA on the L-67 Canal where it meets the Tamiami Canal (star on map, below). This location is approximately 53 km SW of the nearest known snakehead population.
On the first day of Fish Slam, we focused on sampling for snakehead near the area where snakehead eDNA was first detected. Using electrofishing boats, eight teams focused their efforts on L-67 and Tamiami canals (see map, below). No snakehead were observed, likely due to high water levels in the canals. The canals were overflowing their banks into the surrounding marsh, making fishing conditions difficult. We will continue to follow-up with future sampling when water levels are lower.
A thriving population of non-native spotfin spiny eel (Macrognatus siamensis) was detected in the Tamiami Canal. This is the northern extent of the known range for this species, with previous detections of 2-5 individuals at a time in 2013 (USGS 2018). These are the first specimens from this location vouchered at the Florida Museum.
On Day 2, teams sampled canals L31W, C111, C113, and Snapper Creek as well as ponds (e.g., Fuch’s Pond) from south Miami to Homestead (Miami-Dade County). Twenty species of non-native fishes were observed or collected, including a particularly striking Oscar Astronotus ocellatus and a large pacu Piaractus brachypomus also called pirapitinga.
Researchers retained samples of non-native fishes to deposit in the Florida Museum, Gainesville, FL.
All native species, along with two non-native species (grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella and butterfly peacock bass Cichla ocellaris), were returned to the wild alive. All field observations of non-natives were entered into the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database.
The participants of the November 2017 Fish Slam were: Jesse Blanchard (FIU), Ken Blick (USFWS), Tony Brady (USFWS), Mary Brown (USGS), Wes Daniel (CNT), Allison Durland Donahue (UF), Erica Gallerani (NPS), John Galvez (USFWS), Kelly Gestring (FWC), Jeff Greenspan (UF), Daniel Hagood (Miccosukee Tribe), Howard Jelks (USGS), Jeff Kline (NPS), Jon Lane (USACE), Lauren Lamham (UF), Ralph LaPrairie (FWC), Zac Locklear (NPS), Bill Loftus (CNT), Tim Lyons (UF), Jordan Massie (FIU), Robert Muxo (NPS), Alora Myers (FIU), Mark Pepper (NPS), Kristen Reaver (CNT), Rob Robins (FM), Pam Schofield (USGS), Murray Stanford (FWC), Vanessa Trujillo (Deering Estate), Raul Urgelles (NPS), Natasha Viadero (FIU), and Kevin Whelan (NPS).
Institutional acronyms: CNT – Cherokee Nation Technologies; FIU – Florida International University; FM – Florida Museum; FWC – Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; NPS – National Park Service; UF – University of Florida; USFWS – US Fish and Wildlife Service; USGS – US Geological Survey.
We are grateful to our professional colleagues who volunteered to make our Fish Slam successful. Special thanks to Barron Moody, FWC, for assistance with permits for this sampling event.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) (2018). Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database. U.S. Geological Survey, Gainesville, Florida. Available via http://nas.er.usgs.gov/. Accessed 6 Feb 2018
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Spring Fish Slam 2017 – Big Cypress
Florida Non-Native Fish Action Alliance
Fish Slam - Fall 2016
Fish Slam - Spring 2016
Impacts of Non-Native Fishes in the Florida Everglades
Fish Slam 2015
Fish Slam 2014
- Overview
The Hunt For The Southernmost Snakehead. Thirty-one fishery biologists from eleven agencies participated in a two-day Fish Slam event. Thirty-five sites in Broward and Miami-Dade counties were sampled for non-native fishes.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Fish Slam Day 1 sample sites (yellow dots) and location of positive snakehead eDNA sample (star). 7-8 November 2017 – Thirty-one fishery biologists from eleven agencies participated in a two-day Fish Slam event. Thirty-five sites in Broward and Miami-Dade counties were sampled for non-native fishes. Sampling gear included electrofishing boats, backpack electrofisher, minnow traps, cast nets, seines, dipnets, and hook and line. Twenty species of non-native fishes were collected or observed. This is the 6th Fish Slam event since our program began in 2013. For general information on Fish Slam events, please see the webpage for our group, the Florida Non-native Fish Action Alliance.
USGS researchers are currently working on a project to detect bullseye snakehead Channa marulius with environmental DNA (eDNA). An assay was developed at the USGS genetics laboratory that allows researcher to detect the presence of snakehead DNA in water samples. While working on this project, researchers received an unexpected positive hit for snakehead eDNA on the L-67 Canal where it meets the Tamiami Canal (star on map, below). This location is approximately 53 km SW of the nearest known snakehead population.
On the first day of Fish Slam, we focused on sampling for snakehead near the area where snakehead eDNA was first detected. Using electrofishing boats, eight teams focused their efforts on L-67 and Tamiami canals (see map, below). No snakehead were observed, likely due to high water levels in the canals. The canals were overflowing their banks into the surrounding marsh, making fishing conditions difficult. We will continue to follow-up with future sampling when water levels are lower.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Fish Slam Day 2 sample sites (yellow dots) A thriving population of non-native spotfin spiny eel (Macrognatus siamensis) was detected in the Tamiami Canal. This is the northern extent of the known range for this species, with previous detections of 2-5 individuals at a time in 2013 (USGS 2018). These are the first specimens from this location vouchered at the Florida Museum.
On Day 2, teams sampled canals L31W, C111, C113, and Snapper Creek as well as ponds (e.g., Fuch’s Pond) from south Miami to Homestead (Miami-Dade County). Twenty species of non-native fishes were observed or collected, including a particularly striking Oscar Astronotus ocellatus and a large pacu Piaractus brachypomus also called pirapitinga.
Researchers retained samples of non-native fishes to deposit in the Florida Museum, Gainesville, FL.
All native species, along with two non-native species (grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella and butterfly peacock bass Cichla ocellaris), were returned to the wild alive. All field observations of non-natives were entered into the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database.
The participants of the November 2017 Fish Slam were: Jesse Blanchard (FIU), Ken Blick (USFWS), Tony Brady (USFWS), Mary Brown (USGS), Wes Daniel (CNT), Allison Durland Donahue (UF), Erica Gallerani (NPS), John Galvez (USFWS), Kelly Gestring (FWC), Jeff Greenspan (UF), Daniel Hagood (Miccosukee Tribe), Howard Jelks (USGS), Jeff Kline (NPS), Jon Lane (USACE), Lauren Lamham (UF), Ralph LaPrairie (FWC), Zac Locklear (NPS), Bill Loftus (CNT), Tim Lyons (UF), Jordan Massie (FIU), Robert Muxo (NPS), Alora Myers (FIU), Mark Pepper (NPS), Kristen Reaver (CNT), Rob Robins (FM), Pam Schofield (USGS), Murray Stanford (FWC), Vanessa Trujillo (Deering Estate), Raul Urgelles (NPS), Natasha Viadero (FIU), and Kevin Whelan (NPS).
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Non-native fish collected or observed during Fish Slam November 2017 Institutional acronyms: CNT – Cherokee Nation Technologies; FIU – Florida International University; FM – Florida Museum; FWC – Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; NPS – National Park Service; UF – University of Florida; USFWS – US Fish and Wildlife Service; USGS – US Geological Survey.
We are grateful to our professional colleagues who volunteered to make our Fish Slam successful. Special thanks to Barron Moody, FWC, for assistance with permits for this sampling event.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) (2018). Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database. U.S. Geological Survey, Gainesville, Florida. Available via http://nas.er.usgs.gov/. Accessed 6 Feb 2018
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Spring Fish Slam 2017 – Big Cypress
22-23 March 2017 - Ten teams of fishery biologists sampled 28 sites amid unexpected wildfires in the Big Cypress National Preserve over the two day period. On the second day a reporter from the Miami Herald accompanied a ground crew team.Florida Non-Native Fish Action Alliance
The Florida Non-Native Fish Action Alliance brings together federal and state agencies, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations to address the need for documenting and managing the non-native fishes introduced to the state's waters.Fish Slam - Fall 2016
November 1 - 2, 2016 – Eight teams of fishery biologists from the US Geological Survey (USGS), US Fish and Wildlife Service - Peninsular Florida Fisheries Office and Welaka National Fish Hatchery (USFWS), the National Park Service (NPS), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Florida International University (FIU), and Zoo Miami sampled 20 sites for non-native fishes in Palm...Fish Slam - Spring 2016
May 23, 2016 – Five teams of fishery biologists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the National Park Service (NPS), Florida Museum of Natural History (FLMNH), University of Florida (UF), and Florida International University (FIU) sampled 12 sites for non-native fishes in Broward and Miami-Dade counties in southeastern Florida.Impacts of Non-Native Fishes in the Florida Everglades
The Florida Everglades is the largest wetland ecosystem in the United States and supports a diverse flora and fauna, including many rare species.Fish Slam 2015
November 3, 2015 – Five teams of fishery biologists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the National Park Service (NPS), and Florida International University (FIU) sampled for non-native fishes in canals, ponds and ditches in and around the Plantation/Davie area of Broward County, FL.Fish Slam 2014
On November 20, 2014, eight teams of fishery biologists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), U.S. National Park Service (NPS), and Florida International University (FIU) gathered for a one-day sampling event to collect non-native fishes from canals, ponds and ditches in Miami-Dade County, FL. - Partners