O,K. Let's start some "Discussion"

[PRO V LE]

What is you're opinion of having a exotic fish species in the U.S. period.
The Baramondi(SP) thing on the front page is not right in my opinion and I think they should be aressted and fined! Can you Imagine what would happen to the Florida Bass Industry if these things get loose.
The Oscars, Peacocks etc. were all "accidents" just like the Asian carp etc. that we have in our area.
We have 18ft. Pythons in the canals and everglades. We need to concentrate on the native fish and wildlife not something from Aussie.

Come on I'm tough and can take it!

[mhall]

I'm against it to Dave it's asking for all kinds of problems.

[apb]

Agree with Mark.

Andrew

[know1]

I'm not as opposed to it as some, but I think people should be cautious. Heck, we may end up enjoying the new species and the impact that it has better than what we currently have. Sometimes people cling too much to what they're comfortable with...or what is known.

[2ozone]

Kudzu and Multi flora rose are good examples of the same thing in the plant world. It was a good idea at the time.

[Danny]

Was it China or Japan that just recently outlawed Bass as they are an exotic species in their country?

Also, what about the spread of the FL. strain of bass? That too is introducing non-native species to new US waters.

It is obviously much more complicated than to either be for or against. This is something that would need some serious research on the species in question, and intense concentration on any prey that would keep them in check.

BTW, I saw one of the bass shows on TV that said the Peacock bass was stocked in the canals around FL.

Just some thoughts. Nice discussion.

Tight lines and God Bless

Danny

[Moose1am]

I had the professor from Purdue University that started the Multiflora rose thing here in North American. He said he was so sorry that he ever brought that species here to IN. He was thinking it would make great wildlife cover and that it does. But it's also taken over and very difficult if not impossible to get rid of. He was pretty old back when I had him as my professor. And that was back in 1976 when I was a Senior taking a wildlife biology class. Man I really enjoyed his class and learned so much from him.

I learned a lot from his mistake.

The problem with exotic species is that we can't really predict how they will interact with other native species and what will happen if they are turned loose. Our experience with exotics has not been good in the past.

Right now a boa constrictor type snake is loose in Southern Florida and this snake is capable of eating a human or small child when it's full grown. They can reach 20 ft in length and are very aggressive. I can't think of the name of this snake. It's a python of some type. I've seen wildlife guys trying to capture these snakes on the Animal or Discovery Plant shows and these snakes are very aggressive. Now they are breading and eating alligators in the everglades. Of cause some of them are getting eaten by the Alligators too. So it's a battle now to see which species will prevail. Both species can be dangerous to man if they catch you by surprise and get hold of you.

Regards,

Moose1am

[JignPig2006]

I'm against importing species. We have enough in our own country to worry about. Lets concentrate on getting animals off our endagered species list instead of working to bring foreign species in here. Just look at what could happen; conditions are constantly changing with global warming etc. We all know that. I mean here in KY middle of Jan. and its been in the mid to upper 50's and expecting 4" plus of rain over the weekend? Its Jan... wheres the snow? Right now they may have these species under control, but let one varible change and boom an outbreak. They could take over and do away with our native species of animals. Good discussion topic...

God Bless

[bigcarl6446]

What do they taste like....lol
:-) :-)

[SlopFishin]

Asian Bighead Carp. Nuff said.

[zx150]

JigNPig I could not agree with you more. Lets take care of what we have and when it is perfect then lets worry about newe stuff. I wonder how close the Fl fish and game regulate that lake? Take Ryan.

[DJD]

When i lived down there we always seem to hear or read about the latest problem with the management of Florida's resources. This included water, waste and the environment. Examples....Wild hogs can be controlled (wrong), grass carp have done better than expected (as always), oscars can't survive in the wild (wrong), dig trenches and drain the natural rivers for flood control (wrong) and on and on. The Harris Chain and Lake Apopka died for a long time due to pesticides, lack of natural flooding and runnoff but luckily the Harris Chain is back but Lake Apopka is still the dead sea. So my opinion is they will not do a good job of this. What's really sad is how the Florida strain of largemouth do better in other states like Texas than Florida! Who in the wild wild world of sports missed that one???? I know i'm ranting but it's disappointing to see how things get done sometimes.