Invasive Species

[sidfish]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5U2HoaNsFQ

As an educator whose specialty in Biological Sciences I was somewhat disturbed by the attitudes posted regarding Minnesota's efforts to stop the invasion of non native species. The issue is not political, the issue is preserving the ecosystems we know and love, and especially the walleye.

May I suggest we spend a little cold weather time to learn about the ecosystems we love to fish in. If you visit Youtube- there are many busy educational videos discussing invasive species. An interesting fact is that the number one organisms that are transported are insects, as we buy goods from all over the world. Insects are small and can hide easily, so they often go undetected. I have posted a link to a start if you so choose.

Please do not turn this into a name calling. I am only wanting to focus on the costs of this environmental problem.

[fireboat]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5U2HoaNsFQ

As an educator whose specialty in Biological Sciences I was somewhat disturbed by the attitudes posted regarding Minnesota's efforts to stop the invasion of non native species. The issue is not political, the issue is preserving the ecosystems we know and love, and especially the walleye.

May I suggest we spend a little cold weather time to learn about the ecosystems we love to fish in. If you visit Youtube- there are many busy educational videos discussing invasive species. An interesting fact is that the number one organisms that are transported are insects, as we buy goods from all over the world. Insects are small and can hide easily, so they often go undetected. I have posted a link to a start if you so choose.

Please do not turn this into a name calling. I am only wanting to focus on the costs of this environmental problem.

I did some research and Googled "can waterfowl spread zebra mussels?". The answer is YES. During their life cycle the eggs suspend in less than 5 foot of water and be picked up in birds feathers and transported to other lakes. They attach to turtles that can travel to other lakes. As a Biologist you know there is no stopping them. Clean and dry our boats, who is going to clean and dry all the ducks & geese? Unless someone comes up with a magic pill they will be in every lake.

[sidfish]

But does that mean we should not try? If we find a patch of Purple Loose Strife should we clean it up? What about Asian Carp? There are many species we need to be aware of!

[jigngrub]

It seems to me that there are some that really don't care about hastening the spread of invasives as long as they're not inconvenienced by change.

[wiredog]

Posted by three guys from other states that have maybe three or four lakes each and don`t have a clue how our wonderfull DNR handles things!!! Wiredog

[fireboat]

But does that mean we should not try? If we find a patch of Purple Loose Strife should we clean it up? What about Asian Carp? There are many species we need to be aware of!

I do agree with you, we should at least try to slow them down. I don't want them in my backyard but the Asian carp are already in the Missouri river @ Omaha, no stopping them either. If man killed everything he didn't approve of or thought this planet didn't need where would we be. Man thinks he's in control but he's really not.

[sidfish]

this is about ecosystems and education. We have nothing to say about your state problems.

Did anyone else see the story this week that a Galapagos Turtle that was thought extinct was located on a Pacific Island. Extinction of species is a seldom talked about consequence of introducing species into ecosystems where they do not belong. Each member of the ecosystem has their role. If competition is introduced for a species, they generally have no mechanism to compete and don't survive.:sad:

[Buck Snort]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5U2HoaNsFQ



May I suggest we spend a little cold weather time to learn about the ecosystems we love to fish in. .

We can't. The DNR told us "We're done educating." Their only purpose now is to pass out fines.

[Buck Snort]

Posted by three guys from other states that have maybe three or four lakes each and don`t have a clue how our wonderfull DNR handles things!!! Wiredog

Yep.

[sidfish]

I do agree with you, we should at least try to slow them down. I don't want them in my backyard but the Asian carp are already in the Missouri river @ Omaha, no stopping them either. If man killed everything he didn't approve of or thought this planet didn't need where would we be. Man thinks he's in control but he's really not.

you are right on the money! And you are seeing my point. The issue is very complex. So many interactions. So many parts where we cannot control, so many we can try. The best way is to educate and TRY to do what is right. Checking bilges and cleaning boats and vacuuming out seeds and etc...

We are not the species going extinct-----yet. But I don't want to lose the walleye and their ecosystem either.

[sidfish]

message not needed

[Vikings Fan]

The Pilgrims were an invasive species to some of my ancestors. Those Pilgrim's and their offspring have really upset the eco system compared to how it had been. So be careful before you staet throwing stones.

[GG offline]

Wow

[jigngrub]

Posted by three guys from other states that have maybe three or four lakes each and don`t have a clue how our wonderfull DNR handles things!!! Wiredog

Yeah, we just post because we like to see you Minnie boys squirm and hear you squeal.

So I guess anyone that doesn't live in Minn. shouldn't have family and/or friends that live there... nor should they plan to come fish your lakes and be subject to the same rules and regulations you are??? Maybe you should notify your wonderful DNR to quit selling non-resident licenses and all the lake resorts to shut down. Pretty narrow minded of you isn't it?

Once you fill up all of your waterways with invasives what are you going to do, just contain them to your state? Invasives are a world wide problem and I'm glad to see your DNR get tough one them and the people that transport them. Had these measures been taken earlier they wouldn't be the problem they are now.

[Mpower]

Had these measures been taken earlier they wouldn't be the problem they are now.

And your basis for that conclusion?!?!

Your comments come across as though those of us that oppose this new policy don't care about the spread of invasive species. Which is completely false. It's the manner in which the DNR choses to address the issue we take exception to.

So stop posting crap suggesting we don't care, i take offense to that. This goes back to the nuked to thread.

If the government decided to double everyones tax bill, we could reduce the deficit by an insignificant amount. I would be against this policy as i bet you would too. That doesn't mean we don't care about reducing the deficit!

[Juls]

Please try and keep it civil everyone....thanks.

Juls

[Mpower]

Please try and keep it civil everyone....thanks.

Juls

Sorry Juls...this topic just gets a lot of peoples blood boiling. I'm trying to ignore it, I really am :)

[jigngrub]

It's the manner in which the DNR choses to address the issue we take exception to.

Resistance is futile.

[Buck Snort]

Sorry Juls...this topic just gets a lot of peoples blood boiling. I'm trying to ignore it, I really am :)

I agree.

I think it's foolish to think that we as boaters and fisherman, don't care about containing the spread of this as much as we can. I wouldn't argue that point to anyone because we all do or we wouldn't be on here "discussing" it. I think what most of us have a problem with is the way the DNR is going about it.

[BigChip]

We are mad about this issue because the average fisherman is now being punished for a situation that they did not create.

The invasive mussel species have been bought into this part of the world in the ballast of ships. Even though we knew that was a problem, the government refused to mandate decontamination of the ballast before dumping into the great lakes. The businesses that did it knew it was a problem but continue the practice.

Invasive carp species were imported by fish and game departments (Arkansas, I believe) researching algae control and fish farmers in the south. Their ponds flooded and now we have asian carp knocking on the door of Lake Michigan.

These species did not get to this part of the world on the trailer of some guy trying to catch a couple walleye on Leech Lake.

Since bureaucrats couldn’t enact laws against the businesses or their COLLEAGUES to prevent this mess in the first place, they are trying to stuff the cat back in the bag by targeting the average fishermen. Unfortunately for us, we aren’t agents of the government who can do this with impunity under the name of research and we aren’t big business who can hire lobbyist to stop these laws.

Instead of a simple law stopping shipping companies from dumping ballast water containing invasive species in the great lakes, we now have a bunch of crazy laws.

In my opinion, the reason we have this problem in the first place is due to the same bureaucrats that are now going to pull me over and give me a fine if I miss a millimeter sized weed tucked under my trailer bunk.

I remember the first year of Wisconsin’s bait law. We were ice fishing in a bay and wanted to move across the lake to a different bay. The only problem is there is a channel in the middle where the ice isn’t too safe. I'm not real crazy about driving my truck across sketchy ice. So, in the name of environmental activism and inept laws, we had to dump $25 worth of minnows (it was a group of 5 guys tip-up fishing for pike) before we left the lake because it was illegal to drive off the ice carrying water in a bait bucket! Then, we had to go to the bait shop and spend another $25 to drive ¼ mile to the other bay to fish the same lake. I could practically see my $25 worth of shiners flopping across the lake. Yup, that should do the trick to stop zebra mussels from coming to Wisconsin from the Caspian Sea! Thanks DNR for saving that lake!

Don’t even get me started on trapping minnows and suckers for personal use or the madness that bait companies have to deal with to comply with these laws. Crazy laws that will NOT solve the problem our ineffective bureaucrats CAUSED in the first place.

I can’t wait to get pulled over for the white glove treatment. I can’t wait to have a warden tell me that they tried to educate me, but now I’m guilty of committing this heinous crime of improper cleaning and enforcement is required. I love the concept that I’m now guilty of this because education didn’t work. Let’s talk to the Dept of Fish and Game of Arkansas about education. It's awesome to listen to state employees talk condescendingly about how I didn't get educated so now they have to take ME to the woodshed. <Sarcasm Off>

THEY caused this problem in the first place by letting it happen. Now,,, how are they going to try to correct their ineptitude??? By going after the shipping companies? By getting the fish farmers to pay? By holding the State of Arkansas responsible? No, it's going to be some 70 year old taxpayer with a bad back who couldn't reach a millimeter sized weed stuck to the bottom of his trailer. Yup, let's give him a fine for this problem. That sounds fair, right?

Thank you for letting me vent.

[LOW1]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5U2HoaNsFQ

As an educator whose specialty in Biological Sciences I was somewhat disturbed by the attitudes posted regarding Minnesota's efforts to stop the invasion of non native species. The issue is not political, the issue is preserving the ecosystems we know and love, and especially the walleye.

May I suggest we spend a little cold weather time to learn about the ecosystems we love to fish in. If you visit Youtube- there are many busy educational videos discussing invasive species. An interesting fact is that the number one organisms that are transported are insects, as we buy goods from all over the world. Insects are small and can hide easily, so they often go undetected. I have posted a link to a start if you so choose.

Please do not turn this into a name calling. I am only wanting to focus on the costs of this environmental problem.

A great post. There is a problem. What can we do to help solve or decrease this problem? That's the issue. "Convenience/Inconvenience" is not an excuse to avoid the problem.

[Suzuki]

Its going to happen anyways so lets hasten it so ma nature can balance things out.
I dont necesarrily mean that but I sure dont want to be pulled off the road with my rig or blocked access from a public lake either. I dont think the current plan will even slow it down.
Show me what you can do with carp and asian beatles and you will have my attention.

[Burr]

I agree.

I think it's foolish to think that we as boaters and fisherman, don't care about containing the spread of this as much as we can. I wouldn't argue that point to anyone because we all do or we wouldn't be on here "discussing" it. I think what most of us have a problem with is the way the DNR is going about it.

How do you suggest the MN DNR should go about dealing with AIS today?

Some of the arguements of what "could" have been done years ago do nothing to deal with the issues as it is currently.

Honestly, give me some good ideas - I volunteer my time with the MN DNR frequently, and they listen to what I have to say. I'm not an expensive lobbiest, I'm a volunteer.

So - take your opportunity provide me with information that will be effective and allieviate the degrading DNR-name-calling that is so common in MN, and be effective means of dealing with AIS.

If you'd like to pay me an extreme amount, I have no problem being a high priced lobbiest. I'm doing a presentation to Minnesota Legislators tomorrow morning regarding AIS from a fishermans perspective (2nd annaul AIS Legislative Summit in Detroit Lakes, MN) - so you've got a great opportunity to provide some input so MN DNR and Legislators can "do it right". What are your ideas?

On Asian Carp, yeah, they are a significant threat that is not getting the attention of the Zebra Mussel today. If you'd like to get involved I can forward your contact information to a very active group that is working with USFWS. Send me a pm, and I know they will eagerly add you to a list of people that receive the email communication, phone calls, and have the opportunity to sign your name in support, or decline to support. And yep, most of the Asian Carp issues have their roots in aquaculture from Southern US, and flood events.

I have NO ongoing contact with the Federal government, so comments on issues that are under the jurisdiction of the Federal government are better left for someone that works with them. I also have no ideas on how to control the bird spread - however I've seen significant data that supports the categorization that AIS spread by birds is a minimal exposure item as compared to what is spread by humans.

[v-bay gord]

Its going to happen anyways so lets hasten it so ma nature can balance things out.
I dont necesarrily mean that but I sure dont want to be pulled off the road with my rig or blocked access from a public lake either. I dont think the current plan will even slow it down.
Show me what you can do with carp and asian beatles and you will have my attention.

Lame attitude.

[jigngrub]

I agree.

I think it's foolish to think that we as boaters and fisherman, don't care about containing the spread of this as much as we can. I wouldn't argue that point to anyone because we all do or we wouldn't be on here "discussing" it. I think what most of us have a problem with is the way the DNR is going about it.

I think it's foolish for someone to complain and lament about something that hasn't even happened yet. Any given scenario is pure speculation right now and until actually happens.

Don't make any more trouble for yourself than you already have.

How do you suggest the MN DNR should go about dealing with AIS today?

Some of the arguements of what "could" have been done years ago do nothing to deal with the issues as it is currently.

Honestly, give me some good ideas - I volunteer my time with the MN DNR frequently, and they listen to what I have to say. I'm not an expensive lobbiest, I'm a volunteer.

So - take your opportunity provide me with information that will be effective and allieviate the degrading DNR-name-calling that is so common in MN, and be effective means of dealing with AIS.

What are your ideas?

On Asian Carp, yeah, they are a significant threat that is not getting the attention of the Zebra Mussel today.

The solution is a simple one, give the invasive species a commercial value or put a profitable bounty on them (probably price per lb. collected). The stocks will either be decimated or controlled in short order.

There didn't used to be any limits on any kind of fish or game, but now we have to limit what people take so the stocks won't depleted and species won't go extinct.

In today's economy I'm sure there are quite a few people that would like to be their own boss and be able to go out and make a living while helping the environment too.

[Suzuki]

Lame attitude.

Says you. And you're nothing to me. Why dont you come up with your own opinions instead of critiqueing others.

[wiredog]

I think it's foolish for someone to complain and lament about something that hasn't even happened yet. Any given scenario is pure speculation right now and until actually happens.

Don't make any more trouble for yourself than you already have.



The solution is a simple one, give the invasive species a commercial value or put a profitable bounty on them (probably price per lb. collected). The stocks will either be decimated or controlled in short order.

There didn't used to be any limits on any kind of fish or game, but now we have to limit what people take so the stocks won't depleted and species won't go extinct.

In today's economy I'm sure there are quite a few people that would like to be their own boss and be able to go out and make a living while helping the environment too.
I see that worked well for you southern boys with the Asian Carp!!!:shame: Wiredog