| Native fish species have evolved over time to | | | | water are much more susceptible to damage by |
| counter threats of bacteria, fungus, disease, and | | | | "out-of-town" animals. |
| other native predatory species. By adapting to | | | | Salmon along the Snake and Columbia rivers, are |
| the gradually changing environment, many of the | | | | quickly declining in population due to non-native |
| species present today have became extremely | | | | species consuming large amounts of the food |
| robust in dealing with external pressures. Until | | | | sources and eggs. The spread of parasites is also |
| fairly recently though, native U.S. fish species have | | | | of great concern. |
| had little reason to adapt to the habits and | | | | Quite ironically, the bass and walleye causing these |
| threats of other species half way across the | | | | problems, were introduced by biologists to provide |
| globe. Now, with the addition of new species to | | | | a better environment for sport fisherman. Since |
| U.S. waters, fish and plants have new challenges | | | | recreational fishing provides funding in the form of |
| that they are not equipped to handle. | | | | licensing and taxes, stocking these game fishes |
| Recently, the Associated Press, has published | | | | was not thought to cause harm. Now, efforts to |
| information concerning the introduction of red | | | | reduce the number of these game fish, have |
| lionfish from the Indian Ocean, into the coastal | | | | proven unsuccessful. The rate of reproduction out |
| waters of Florida and the Caribbean. Though a | | | | numbers any progress made my biologists and |
| magnificent looking marine fish, the red lionfish | | | | anglers to decrease the numbers of bass and |
| population is beginning to swell and create | | | | walleye. |
| problems for smaller native reef fish. With | | | | These new species are very well tailored to life |
| poisonous spines and a voracious appetite, lionfish | | | | within new reservoirs created by hydro electric |
| will consume any fish and crustaceans small | | | | dams. While bass, shad, and walleye flourish in the |
| enough to fit inside its mouth. | | | | large open waters, salmon prefer the swift |
| Not only is the lionfish a disaster for local marine | | | | flowing waters of rivers and streams. |
| life, the sting from the poison spines can be | | | | While developing ways to create clean energy and |
| extremely painful for any person unlucky enough | | | | new opportunities, we must be sensitive to the |
| to get in its way. This poison is a great defense | | | | outcomes of any changes made to the current |
| for the fish, as very few larger species are able | | | | surrounding habitats. Though hydro power is an |
| to consume the red lion, and rarely will a predator | | | | abundant source of power, and man made |
| make the mistake twice. | | | | reservoirs can increase the volume of water for |
| Fisherman and divers in areas experiencing an | | | | fish and crustaceans, not all animals are effected |
| increase of red lionfish, are being encouraged to | | | | the same. When non-native species find local |
| catch and report any sightings. These actions may | | | | waters well suited to their survival, many native |
| help to control the outbreak, but it is very unlikely | | | | species can be lost in the transition. Proper |
| to have a profound effect on the numbers. | | | | research and a little bit of restraint will help to |
| Since water quality and composition varies greatly | | | | keep native species thriving. Most of these |
| around the world's oceans, with the exception of | | | | situations can be avoiding by following local laws |
| the red lionfish, marine animals rarely become a | | | | and regulations governing the release of |
| problem that cannot be controlled by natural | | | | non-native species into water sources. |
| processes. On the other hand, fresh bodies of | | | | |