Snakehead capture raises spectre of invasive species
Non- native plants, animals affect ecosystems and economy; B. C. minister says ‘ genie in the bottle’ for now
The hunt for Burnaby’s snakehead menace ended on Friday, but the fish that sparked the intense search- andcapture operation in Central Park lagoon is only a small part of a bigger problem in B. C.
“Invasive animal species [ are a] leading threat to biodiversity,” said Greg Ferguson of the Stanley Park Ecology Society. “Populations grow fast and they compete with our native species for resources like food, space and shelter. It’s hard to say how significant invasive species’ impact truly is.”
Non- native species introduced in the ecosystem have created a longstanding problem in the province, said Ferguson, the society’s stewardship coordinator. He added that Stanley Park’s own war against encroaching foreign plant and animal life goes back nearly a century and the risks posed will have serious ecological consequences.
Gail Wallin, executive director of the Invasive Species Council of British Columbia, said widespread alien species have major impacts on the province’s economy and ecosystem.
“For just six invasive plants the [ economic cost to B. C.] was $ 65 million in 2008,” she said.
“Those kinds of impacts are on things like forests, contamination of sea crops, loss of habitat for different species and health costs. This is a quiet forest fire, a smouldering issue that is now only coming to the attention of the public.”
Two of the worst invasive animal species are the infrastructure- clogging Zebra and Quagga mussels, Wallin said.
She called the shellfish a “major potential threat to B. C.” that could cost the province $ 7.6 million to adapt hydro facilities and a further $ 1 million a year for maintenance.
In Vancouver, the most common non- native animal species found in parks is the red- eared slider turtle, according to the Vancouver park board. The reptiles are popular pets, measuring a little over one inch in diameter as hatchlings, but adults can reach upwards of 14 inches in length. Red- eared sliders have been found in Stanley Park’s Lost Lagoon, Beaver Lake, Trout Lake, and Queen Elizabeth Park’s duck pond.
Surrey spends tens of thousands of dollars each year removing invasive species from ecologically sensitive areas, said the city’s manager of parks, Owen Croy. While renegade plant life is usually the cleanup target, Croy said American bullfrogs represent a worrisome hazard in Surrey’s parks.
“[ The bullfrogs] are usually put there by people who don’t understand how aggressive and predatory they can be,” he said.
Humans play a big role in causing the mounting invasive- species problem in B. C., according to the Species Council’s Wallin. She explained that over 60 per cent of the province’s invasive species are due to the improper disposal or illegal importation of non- native plants and animals. Wallin said people need to understand the long- term implications of releasing alien plants and animals — like the snakehead fish — into the local environment.
“Invasive species are not a problem if they’re contained and not let out into the wild,” said Wallin. “The only reason you have problems like snakehead fish is because somebody had it and let it go. If people take responsible action we’ll have fewer losses down the road.”
Meanwhile, officials are pleased with the capture of the Central Park snakehead. The species is native to Russia and China and are often sold live in Asian supermarkets. Dubbed “Fishzilla” by National Geographic, the animals have no predators outside of their natural environment. They are also able to travel short distances over land by wriggling on the ground.
The Burnaby snakehead was captured and killed after authorities lowered Central Park lagoon’s water levels to help with the operation. Other invasive species found in the pond will be euthanized.
“It’s good to have caught [ the snakehead],” said Environment Minister Terry Lake. “Left unchecked these things can wipe out a lot of [ biodiversity]. Hopefully we’ve kept the genie in the bottle with this capture. It feels good.”