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Montana's Fish, Wildlife and Parks to Step-up Enforcement
to Stop Bucket Biology
With Montana's lakes and rivers facing
an epidemic of illegal stocking of fish, state officials
said today anglers will see wardens checking boats and
live-wells this summer for unwanted hitchhikers. Illegal
introductions of fish, or "bucket biology," occur from the
illegal movement of fish from one body of water to another,
bait-bucket transfers, and even from mail-order companies
that market all manner of fish.
It is illegal to transport live fish in
Montana without a permit from Montana Fish, Wildlife &
Parks. It is also illegal to dump live fish into any Montana
water.
"It's a national problem that's rapidly
spreading across Montana," said Chris Hunter, chief of
fisheries for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in Helena. "We
believe that more than 20 percent of Montana's illegal fish
introductions occurred in the past 10 years."
FWP recently confirmed the state's
500th unauthorized fish introduction. At least 50 different
species of fish have been illegally dumped into state
waters.
"It's an epidemic that's threatening
Montana's native fish populations and the state's planned
for and managed fisheries from Lake Mary Ronan near Polson
to Broadwater Pond near Billings," Hunter said.
Illegally introduced fish and other
aquatic species can harm native, wild and stocked fish
populations, spread disease, and create water-quality
problems. The consequences of an illegal fish introduction
diminishes fishing opportunities and increases management
costs by exhausting hatchery stocks or by requiring the
rehabilitation of a lake or stream to restore a fishery.
Jim Kropp, FWP's chief of enforcement
in Helena, said FWP wardens have been working the state's
fishing access sites and boat ramps to inform anglers and
boaters about the threat of illegal introductions and to
check live wells or bait buckets for live fish.
"The illegal practice has grown so
rampant that it's now beyond FWP resources to remedy the
problems being created," Kropp said. "We're hoping onsite
education and enforcement will provide awareness of the
problem and help to prevent additional illegal stocking. We
do need the public's help in understanding and controlling
this problem."
Kropp said boat inspections for illegal
introductions and for unwanted aquatic species have been
conducted at Canyon Ferry, Fresno, Tiber and Fort Peck
reservoirs. FWP will check boats at numerous locations,
including Big Horn, Hauser, Holter, Noxon, and Tongue River
reservoir; and on the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers.
To protect Montana waters from damages
caused by illegal fish introductions:
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Never move live fish, aquatic
insects, or other aquatic organisms from one water to
another for any reason
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Never release aquarium fish into
streams and lakes
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Never release live baitfish into
streams and lakes
The illegal introduction of any fish
into any Montana water is a crime, punishable by fines up to
$1,000. In addition, violators may be required to pay
restitution for the costs of removing the introduced species
and restoring the original fishery. If you witness such a
crime, report it by calling TIP-MONT at 1-800-TIP-MONT
(1-800-847-6668).
Free "Kick the Bucket-Stop Illegal
Introductions" bumper stickers are available at all FWP
regional offices.
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