Invasive species causing concern in the United States by Keith Wasiakowski

Catching my attention is a not a new problem arising, but an ever-growing problem in the United States: invasive species. Some might not have heard about this problem stretching the continent. However, this invasive species is at your back door.

And if “invasive species” makes you think “alien invaders,” think again. We’re talking about fish. They are fish species that are not supposed to be in our waters to be exact. Two of the most popular are: Snakehead and Asian Carp. These fish have started to take over the waters all over the United States. They are disturbing the natural ecosystems that have been unchanged for centuries, eating everything in their sight, and creating problems that people don’t know how to handle.

The Associated Press, among other news establishments, has covered these topics repeatedly. But the government has no immediate solution. A position was even opened in the government as the Asian Carp Director in the White House Council on Environmental Quality. The man who now has responsibility is John Goss. This position requires someone to come up with a solution to this problem. But a permanent solution has yet to be found.

Asian species known as bighead and silver carp have migrated up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers for decades and are on the doorstep of Lake Michigan, held back by the electric barrier about 25 miles south of Chicago. Scientists say if they reach the lakes, the hungry, prolific plankton eaters could endanger the $7 billion fishing industry by unraveling the aquatic food web. (AP)

The Great Lakes are the main concern of the government right now but what about the rest of the waters that are already crawling with the fish? Their idea is about barricading the waterway with a fence. How does that help the rest of us? I am what you would call an extreme angler among other things and would hate to have the native species of my home destroyed from a predator that is unwanted. Fish that I grew up catching like Bass and Catfish will be in jeopardy of depletion from our waters, and get run out of their own homes permanently.


Many fish have made it into our waters by someone placing fish from another country right into our waterways. Security has tightened on the trade market because of problems like this. Some fish markets were even found to be guilty of selling large amounts of live fish right out of their store. Some people just have no regard for the balance of natural ecosystems and ruin them by adding things that don’t belong. Some people take odd species into their home and keep them as pets and do so responsibly. But this isn’t your everyday guy having fish tanks. This is deliberate release of fish that could certainly destroy the balance of our freshwater ecosystems. This also couldn’t have been just a one-time thing. Someone, somewhere, planned on releasing these and did so to the point that they are growing rapidly up our water systems.  

A large part of the economy is fishing. If these species takeover the water they will eat not only the fish, but the fish’s food sources to depletion if not to the point of extinction. If these invasive species take over the water it will destroy all sport fishing for most species. Not only do they eat all the fish’s food, businesses will close ranging from tourism, fishing guides, to fish markets.

 These fish are pretty much getting served dinner, and then getting congratulated on being the top of the food chain. Our waterways will supply a never-ending feast followed by a breeding ground in heaven. These fish are native in waters with much larger fish than you would even see in the rivers in our neighborhood. Our native fish are much smaller and hardly pose a threat to a species of this nature. Imagine being a fish and having the ability to eat every other fish and no one was large enough to eat you. This is how the fish feel, like the owner of the place put out the welcome matt and left the keys in the door. Nothing stands in the way of these fish making our waters their new home permanently.

The Snakehead are an aggressive fish that will eat all fish in their path especially when the female is protecting its nest. I would describe this fish as a predator with large fanglike teeth numbering into the hundreds. There are different types and sizes. On some the skin is dark as knight, with bits of white and grey. Another is completely camouflaged; colors like a hunter would wear to kill animals in the woods. Each spawning-age female can release up to 15,000 eggs at once, laying eggs five times a year. Meaning every year a single female can release up to 75,000 eggs.

Asian Carp are a large bottom feeder. I would say the best description would be like a garbage can, eating anything it could sense as food. Asian species known as bighead and silver carp are the culprits filling out waters. These fish are known to jump out of the water and strike fishermen and anyone in a watercraft by jumping out of the water when being startled and even knocking people out of their boats.

"They are established in the Mississippi River and Ohio Drainage. They're moving up, as they already have in Illinois, Indiana, and other areas, so we're working on strategies to make sure they're not going to cross from those river systems at any other point," Goss said. (ABC)

Wanted! A fish to kill, or is it too late! It has been proposed if you catch it kill it. That’s pretty much sums up what can be done. How do you eradicate something that you cannot control without destroying everything else? You could kill all the fish in certain parts of the water but what would that solve? There would just be more further down the water that survived, and then you are back to square one. It is not easy realizing that you do not have control of your destiny. Measures are trying to be made to stop fish from entering deeper into our waterways but realistically what can really be done? Some problems just can’t be solved.

Is it too late? Since the discovery of these fish’s existence in our native waters there might be nothing that could be done to prevent them from entering every body of water. What solution could there possibly be? Or will change always be our permanent destiny? Time has shown that every second that passes things become different. If anyone were to say that we could handle or control things they would be wrong. If something wants to happen it will.

On the brighter side of things if you own a fish store and sell Carp, or Snakehead as food, your business is about to be booming! That’s about the only person who will be happy about the fish’s arrival.


After all my research I would have to advise the government to create a barrier disconnecting the Great Lakes and all other pathways that the fish have not breached which was previously proposed. At least then some places will not be swarmed with unwanted fish. There are factors that might affect the lakes after the barrier has been built but with every decision there is an equal and opposite reaction. Also, I would advise to try and mobilize a national sweep of our waterways to capture as many of the unwanted species as possible. Eradication of the species is nearly impossible but treating the situation we are in with utmost seriousness is what is most important. Government funding would be necessary to eliminate these fish across the country. Making them realize that and making them help is the hard part.  But its something that needs to be done to save what should never have been changed. Because everyone will be affected!

Project Conservation by Keith Wasiakowski

Max Greenburg is a firm believer in the promotion of environmental education. He said that their organization has always worked hard at teaching the public about environmental consciousness and finding ways to make people more get more active in conservation. Getting everyone to help out is his main goal.

Greenburg, from the National Wildlife Foundation, head of media relations, also said, “Our organization has upcoming events honoring schools with different awards called the Chill out Awards for colleges and high schools and Eco Schools USA for schools K-12, certifying them as Green schools for transforming into places for energy efficient learning helping the environment to thrive.”

The larger the population of earth gets, the smaller the space available for wild animals, but they still need places to thrive. Organizations like the World Wildlife Foundation do just that. The foundation covers every continent.

According to the website, the living planet report (LPI), an indicator of the state of the world’s biodiversity, explains that rising population keeps causing numerous problems for wildlife. This survey is possible by measuring trends in populations of vertebrate species living in terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems around the world. The comparisons are made from records dating back to 1961 when the first studies were made. The study shows the ecological, energy, food, fiber and timber footprints, and water withdrawals caused by the presence of humans on the planet.

Wildlife conservation clubs are an attempt at saving the preservation of native and endangered species. There are thousands of areas of land across the world designated to saving animals from extinction. These places of solitude for wildlife save animals from harm and give them the chance to thrive in protected areas. According to Jerry Feazer, Public Relations Director for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, “A lot of the provisions are dedicated to special concern species on the endangered list, acquisition of lands for habitat reclaiming and educational programs.”

The organization’s Wildlife Diversity Biologists are the ones who coordinate the habitat needs especially for water and marsh inhabitants which is a big concern of the commission with help from its 430 state associates from the office to the field.

Since the development of conservation clubs there has been a significant growth in populations of different animals in these locations. Whether the animals are a fish, a bird, or any living thing they all have a chance to survive in the protected spaces allotted for them because of these organizations. In Pennsylvania alone there is a coalition of more than 182 groups working together to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered in the state.  This is made possible by a foundation called Teaming with Wildlife, according the (teaming.com) website.

Peg Hosterman, an employee of the Wildlife for Everyone Endowment Foundation, located in State College, relayed that their organization does numerous fund raising events in Pennsylvania year round to provide benefit to the wildlife. The foundation supports the Pennsylvania Game Commission among others like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife and the Fish and Boat Commission to preserve and enhance wildlife habitat, wildlife scientific research, wildlife education, land preservation, youth programs, and construct a wildlife education and research centers. Hosterman said, “Most if not all of their profits go to the preservation of the 467 species of animals in Pennsylvania.”

According to their website, Wildlife for Everyone Endowment Foundation was established to create a wonderful opportunity for all citizens to share in wildlife restoration and conservation. They are always looking for people to join them and take part in preserving and improving wildlife for all present and future Pennsylvania generations.

Information from the Wildlife for Everyone website stated throughout Pennsylvania’s history, hunters and trappers, sportsmen’s clubs, wildlife conservation organizations and the Pennsylvania Game Commission have worked tirelessly to manage, protect, and propagate the birds and mammals that make up the Commonwealth but they need help from everyone.

Certain species have a hard enough time just staying alive. Without the help from conservation personnel some wildlife would gradually decrease into extinction.

Although hunting for certain animals is still permitted and damage is being done to the habitats of animals around the world outside the edges of the confines in most places, it is still up to the efforts of conservation organizations to manage the growth of the wild animals in their areas.

According to the Fish and Wildlife Services (fws.com) website, “the United States fish and aquatic resources are among the earth’s most plentiful. They provide substantial social, economic, and ecological benefits to the Nation.”

Also, “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Divisions of Fisheries and Habitat Conservation (FHC) are unique within the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. They are able to apply a multifaceted approach to resource management.”

The fish and wildlife service website ensures that “their program conserves and restores habitats to ensure that fish and wildlife populations are sustained for the benefit of current and future generations of Americans.”  Also, their website explains that Fisheries and Habitat Conservation relies on collaboration with State agencies, tribes, private landowners, industry, other Federal agencies, and the public to achieve its conservation goals and objectives.

Damage to the ecosystem has already occurred by growing from communities and expanding populations. These organizations listed hope to get people to give back to nature and help out. Since the planet gives you everything why not give Mother Earth something back? There are many agencies that you can volunteer to, even career opportunities. Anyone who may be interested in helping should contact one of the foundation’s branches listed above or find a conservation organization locally near you.