LoweBow
09-14-2005, 02:46 PM
Snakehead Found in West Kentucky
September 14, 2005 Contact: Lee
McClellan
IMMEDIATE RELEASE (800)
852-0942x330
Frankfort, KY - Wildlife and Boating Officers Marcus Bowling and Tracey Bell
of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR)
confiscated a banned snakehead fish from Brian Dunbar's residence in Hopkins
County back in May.
"He paid a $25 fine, plus court costs and lost the fish," said Boating and
Wildlife Officer Marcus Bowling. "He got it from a pet store in Tennessee.
We've banned the snakehead in Kentucky since 1978."
The snakehead created a national stir when an angler caught one out of a
pond in Maryland in 2002. Snakeheads are natives of Asia and greatly concern
biologists because of their aggressive nature, especially when protecting
young. They possess a voracious appetite and the ability to migrate over
land from one body of water to another.
"The snakehead is an exotic species capable of surviving and reproducing in
Kentucky," said David Bell, northwestern fishery district biologist for the
KDFWR. "They are top predators in their native range and we are worried
about them. They are reproducing in Maryland and their biologists are
tremendously concerned. They compete with native species and that is a giant
negative."
A visitor to Dunbar's home tipped off Boating and Wildlife Officers to the
presence of the snakehead. "Someone was in his house and saw the fish,"
Bowling said. "They knew he wasn't supposed to have it and they called me."
Snakeheads entered the United States from the pet trade and subsequent
release from aquariums by owners. Snakeheads also entered the country from
the live food fish trade, popular in Asian communities. They've been
confiscated in Alabama, California, Florida, Washington, Texas and now
Kentucky. Snakeheads are reproducing in the wild in Florida and Maryland.
"We are extremely concerned about exotic species, such as the snakehead,
that may reproduce in Kentucky," Bell said. "We certainly don't want them
here."
-30-
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) manages,
regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife
species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit
of those resources and for public enjoyment. KDFWR, an agency of the
Commerce Cabinet, has an economic impact to the state of $4.8 billion
annually. For more information on KDFWR, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.
September 14, 2005 Contact: Lee
McClellan
IMMEDIATE RELEASE (800)
852-0942x330
Frankfort, KY - Wildlife and Boating Officers Marcus Bowling and Tracey Bell
of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR)
confiscated a banned snakehead fish from Brian Dunbar's residence in Hopkins
County back in May.
"He paid a $25 fine, plus court costs and lost the fish," said Boating and
Wildlife Officer Marcus Bowling. "He got it from a pet store in Tennessee.
We've banned the snakehead in Kentucky since 1978."
The snakehead created a national stir when an angler caught one out of a
pond in Maryland in 2002. Snakeheads are natives of Asia and greatly concern
biologists because of their aggressive nature, especially when protecting
young. They possess a voracious appetite and the ability to migrate over
land from one body of water to another.
"The snakehead is an exotic species capable of surviving and reproducing in
Kentucky," said David Bell, northwestern fishery district biologist for the
KDFWR. "They are top predators in their native range and we are worried
about them. They are reproducing in Maryland and their biologists are
tremendously concerned. They compete with native species and that is a giant
negative."
A visitor to Dunbar's home tipped off Boating and Wildlife Officers to the
presence of the snakehead. "Someone was in his house and saw the fish,"
Bowling said. "They knew he wasn't supposed to have it and they called me."
Snakeheads entered the United States from the pet trade and subsequent
release from aquariums by owners. Snakeheads also entered the country from
the live food fish trade, popular in Asian communities. They've been
confiscated in Alabama, California, Florida, Washington, Texas and now
Kentucky. Snakeheads are reproducing in the wild in Florida and Maryland.
"We are extremely concerned about exotic species, such as the snakehead,
that may reproduce in Kentucky," Bell said. "We certainly don't want them
here."
-30-
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) manages,
regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife
species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit
of those resources and for public enjoyment. KDFWR, an agency of the
Commerce Cabinet, has an economic impact to the state of $4.8 billion
annually. For more information on KDFWR, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.