Sweetwater Fishing Forums
General Category => News Views & Press Releases => Topic started by: Editor on October 28, 2014, 12:54:49 AM
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Feral fish eradicated from Darwin waterways
[ 24/10/2014 ] - NT DPIF
Populations of feral guppies have recently been removed from a stormwater drain in the Darwin suburb of Lyons and from a pond at the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. The eradication was carried out by NT Fisheries Officers in collaboration with Museum and Art Gallery NT staff and Parks and Wildlife Commission staff.
Guppies are a non-native ornamental fish species. If released into natural waterways, non-native fish can compete with native fish for food and space. They can dominate waterways by reproducing in large numbers, survive in adverse habitats, and alter and disturb natural habitats. They also feed on native fish, insects, and plants—and introduce diseases and parasites. It is important to remove the pest population before it spreads into other waterways.
“The eradication was very successful. Several thousand feral guppies were removed from these areas. Native fish including purple-spotted gudgeons, tarpon, barramundi and rainbowfish were removed prior to treatment, then relocated,” said Murray Barton, Manager of Aquatic Biosecurity with the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries.
During the Wet, heavy rain can result in backyard ponds overflowing and carrying non-native fish and plants into NT waterways, altering the natural environment. NT Fisheries reminds people with backyard ponds that they should prevent the escape of fish from the ponds and not dispose of unwanted fish or plants in waterways.
“There is a wide variety of hardy, attractive and interesting native fish species which can be used in aquaria and backyard ponds. Many of these fish will also help control mosquitoes by feeding on their larvae. Some of these native fish include gudgeons (purple spotted and empire), rainbowfish, blue-eyes and glassfish,” Mr Barton added.
Releasing non-native aquatic species into waterways is illegal. If you’re aware of such activity, report it to the Fishwatch Hotline on 1 800 891 136.
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