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

[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.

[Moose1am]

As an environmental scientist I am totally against introducing EXOTIC species into new ecosystems. Evolution didn't intend for mankind to fool around with mother nature.

Killer bees, fire ant and Kudzu and flying carp are just a few examples of exotic species that went out of control when they were introduced into a new environment.

Many plants and specie have evolved on one Continent and they have no natural predators on other Continents. So they can grow wildly and get out of control quickly. This can be devastating to the native species. Look at the Zebra Mussels as another example of an exotic species that has created lots of monetary problems. They plug us intake pipes for factors and water supplies for example. Bamboo is another example of a plant that's very hard if not impossible to control.

Scientist don't have all the answers ahead of time and it's much better to error on the side of prevention or caution than not when it comes to exotic species being brought into new environments.


These huge fish that have the tendency to jump out of the water when they hear a speeding boat are going to really be a problem with the bass guys as their populations explode. You don't want one of them jumping out of the water in front of your boat as you are speeding over the water and have them hit you in the face. Bass boats are going to have to be build with protective steel cages in the front just to protect the occupants from those flying 20 lb fish.

Any species that evolved in North Africa should be left in North Africa. That's my story and I am sticking too it.
Regards,

Moose1am

[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