What gives the DNR the right?

[knifegill]

Sounds like the OP doesn't realize these are not native fish.

Snakehead are not part of the ecosystem you want to protect, screaminleeman. They are a problem species that you can help solve a little by removing them when you find them. If someone put gorillas in your bedroom, would they suddenly be part of your decor? No, they are invasive and need to be removed. Same for this fish. It simply does not belong where it is, innocent as the animals may be they are potentially corrosive to the ecosystem. While they probably won't wipe out existing species, they will drain resources that the natural ecosystem relies on. So when you kill them, you are helping the ecosystem.

Sorry, I just realized there are a lot of big words in here. Here:
Snakehead from somewhere else. Snakehead bad for your waters. You kill snakehead to save other fish that were here first. It's good to kill snakehead if you catch them in your native water. Then they don't eat all the food.

 

[warmouth]

trouts and bass are readily bred and not native to the Maryland area. Also snakeheads have been introduced in Hawaii for over 100 years and its now part of their game fish, and they still have LMB, and the snakeheads have not killed any children or small animals

1st of all Trout and Bass are responsible for the endangerment and extinction of many species after being introduced into non-native habitats in the West. 2nd of all Hawaii is a different ecosystem and they were introduced so long ago that no one knowes for sure if they did wipe out any native species. Last but not least we have alot of endangered native fish in the US, Snakehead are a much more aggressive and deadly efficient predator than Bass are (just like Dorado or Gatfs) and these DNR's are trying to save rare or endangered species like Roanoke Bass, Mud Sunfish, and Blackbanded Sunfish (not to mention the Bluespotted and Bandeds that would be eaten like a fat boy on a Cannibal Cruise line by SH). IF you truely love fish you will understand the DNR's plight to try and save these species ( that are natural treasures) which have already taken a hit from other introduced species. Too many people who post on here are worried only about losing money from sales of these fish and not about the ecosystems they wreck.

 

[warmouth]

INVASIVE SPECIES
Just like the asian carp that are trying to invade my beloved Lake Michigan over here.
I cull carp too when I fish in WI.

These fish damage the ecosystem and wipe out native species.
And BTW, the government and the people give DNR this right.

I agree with removing these fish 100% because to me, the ecosystem is more important.

+! I couldnt agree more!































+

 

[Richie_ELP]

Sorry, I just realized there are a lot of big words in here. Here:
Snakehead from somewhere else. Snakehead bad for your waters. You kill snakehead to save other fish that were here first. It's good to kill snakehead if you catch them in your native water. Then they don't eat all the food.

If caught a snakehead, I'd "kill it", and throw it away.
I do also cull carp though, as well as the goldfish people use as bait.

 

[Mikeberg]

How many Native Bowfins need to be killed since you non expert snakehead killers can't seem to be able to differentiate between a Native Bowfin and an invasive snakehead? This is a common occurance and MUST STOP before we eradicate the Bowfin species in an effort to control the invasive non-native snakehead. Asshats kill Bowfins and Gars because they eat sport fish like Bass . . .

I agree it is a problem that people kill Gar & Bowfin thinking they hurt the fishing. For the most part, neither fish species eat primairoly gamefish, and the gamefish evolved with the Gar & Bowfin already there.

The snakehead did not evolve with the North American species of fish. As with most other invasive species across the country, the snakehead can end up hurting native fish populations.

California has a lot of invasive fish (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Lake Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Green Sunfish, Bluegill, Crappie, Redear Sunfish etc..) Now fish like the Sacramento Perch (The only native sunfish on the west side of the Rocky Mountains) is in truble, as are a number of other western species. Is it OK for fish species to go extent because we like to ceatch certain fish? No, and leaving non-native fish in a eco-system for whatever reason is wrong.

The DNR was wrong in stocking Gamefish all over without proper studies in the past, as was who ever released the snakehead or any other non-native fish.

Now you have to decide on the lessor of two evils as the last post said.

If you can't bring yourself to kill something, even though it could cause bad problems. Then if you cetch one ask someone elese to kill it for you. I bet most fishermen would not have a problem helping you & the enviroment. Or if no one is arround call the DNR and tell them you might have a snakehead but you are unsure and would like someone to come look at it to be sure its not a Bowfin. Then they will dispose of it for you, and you can have the secret satisfaction of makeing someone from the DNR come look at it.

 

[warmouth]

Mike, a good post......besides the spelling LOL; I especially like the part about calling the DNR, an excellent idea for those who are pacifists and opposed to killing anything regardless of the outcome or dangers.

 

[inssane]

peta - people eating the animals


We should let roaches take over too

 

[inssane]

Dammit, double post
I won't waste it though...

 

[Mikeberg]

peta - people eating the animals


We should let roaches take over too

I thought it was People Eating Tasty Animals



Yes Warmouth, spelling has always been hard for me, I need to just be able to talk to my computer & have it type for me. But as long as I can still get my point across I hope everyone can overlook it.

 

[WckedMidas]

get off your high horse hippy.. there not asking YOU so if you dont want to do it dont. and Im pretty sure it has more to do with helping them preserve the native fish and habitat from being decimated by the invasive fish that ironically was brought here by irresponsible fish keepers. you sound like a liberal hippy tree huger of some sort.. probly a college student (cause we know how they love a good pointless fight against the man) relax and do what you will with the fish you catch. i dont see you getting any backing here.

UMMM it wasnt a rresponsible fish keeper that introduced them to maryland watters. Was a asain person they were bought to make a traditional soup or something for a sick relitive of theres. and the relitive got beter befor the fish were cooked. And there custom was to release the fish alive and unharmed beings they wernt used for the soup.