Regulation proposals target spread of exotic species

AUSTIN, Texas -- Proposed regulations under consideration by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department would enlist anglers and boaters in the fight to prevent further spread of exotic aquatic species into Texas waterways.

State fisheries biologists are requesting changes that would require anglers and boaters to take action to prevent the spread of zebra mussels, and silver and bighead carp. Although possession and transport of these species is prohibited under current rules, TPWD believes additional regulations are needed to prevent the unintentional movement of these species from one waterbody to another.

The recommended changes consist of two parts. The first would prohibit the transport of live, non-game fishes from the Red River below Lake Texoma downstream to the Arkansas border, Big Cypress Bayou downstream of Ferrell’s Bridge Dam on Lake O’ the Pines (including the Texas waters of Caddo Lake), and the Sulphur River downstream of the Lake Wright Patman dam. Collection and use of nongame fishes for bait on those water bodies would still be legal.

These changes are designed to prevent the accidental capture and movement of silver and bighead carp during bait-collecting activities for other nongame fish, especially gizzard or threadfin shad. These species can be easily misidentified at smaller sizes and within a large quantity of fish. The introduction of bighead and silver carp into Texas has the potential to cause enormous damage as these species feed on plankton required by larval fish and native mussels. They are a potential competitor with some adult fishes such as gizzard and threadfin shad that also rely on plankton for food.

The second part of the changes is designed as a precaution against incidental transfer of zebra mussels larvae known as veligers. Veligers are too small to be seen by the human eye and may occur in water taken up from infested water bodies. TPWD is proposing to exempt boaters from the application of certain exotic species regulations provided all bait buckets, live wells, bilges, and any other receptacles, containers, or systems that could contain water are emptied prior to departure. This regulation would apply to Lakes Texoma and Lavon, and the Red River from Lake Texoma downstream to the Arkansas border and upstream to the I-44 bridge in Wichita County. Following these procedures would not exempt persons from complying with prohibitions against transporting exotic species that are visible to the unaided eye, such as adult zebra mussels, which may be attached to boats or trailers.