Invasive Species Exhibit

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Aquatic invasive species are non-native organisms that harm the environment, economy, or human health.

They outcompete native species, take over recreational areas, and can cost millions of dollars to control. Lake Champlain has fifty known invasive species. Some arrived here by natural forces, but most were introduced by people.

The following species are considered high management priorities:

  • Alewife
  • Asian Clam
  • Eurasian Watermilfoil
  • Japanese Knotweed
  • Purple Loosestrife
  • Water Chestnut
  • Zebra Mussel

Resources

Lake Champlain Basin Program AIS Resource Page
Lake Champlain Basin Invasive Species Guide
Aquatic Invaders Brochure
State of the Lake Report AIS Section

Live Stream of ECHO’s Aquatic Invasive Species Tank

All the animals in this tank are aquatic invasive or non-native species. Can you identify them using the species information below?

Zebra mussel

Dreissena polymorpha

Causing scratched feet and clogged pipes, Zebra mussels are among the Lake’s most pesky invasives. They reproduce quickly and can overwhelm objects they attach themselves to, including intake pipes, shipwrecks, and even other mussels.

Date of introduction: 1993 in Lake Champlain
Area of origin: Eurasia

USGS Zebra mussel fact sheet

Koi or Common carp

Cyprinus carpio

A common aquarium pet, Koi is a domesticated variety of the Common carp. It can grow dramatically and harm native habitat if released into the wild.

Date of introduction: 1800s in the U.S.
Area of origin: Eurasia

USGS Common carp fact sheet

Tench

Tinca tinca

This bottom-feeding fish competes for food with trout and other game fish. An unlawful release from an aquaculture facility led to its establishment in Lake Champlain.

Date of introduction: 2002 in Lake Champlain
Area of origin: Eurasia

USGS Tench fact sheet

White Perch

Morone americana

This invasive species now outnumbers native perch in some Lake Champlain bays. It competes for food with local shiners and eats walleye eggs, putting populations at risk.

Date of introduction: 1990 in Lake Champlain
Area of origin: Atlantic coast

USGS white perch fact sheet

Goldfish

Carassius auratus

This common pet was the first foreign fish introduced into North America. It is not considered an invasive, but unwanted pets should never be released into the wild.

Date of introduction: 1600s in the U.S.
Area of origin: Asia

USGS goldfish fact sheet

European rudd

Scardinius erythrophthalmus

This invasive fish grazes on shoreline plants, potentially degrading native spawning grounds. It was once widely sold as bait in Vermont, but its sale is now illegal.

Date of introduction: 1991 in Lake Champlain
Area of origin: Europe

USGS European rudd fact sheet

What You Can Do

Do not release

When baitfish or unwanted pets are released into the Lake, they can cause unexpected harm. Likely introduced into Vermont waterways by anglers, alewife have hurt fisheries by competing with native fish for food and feeding on their eggs.

BUY non-invasive plants and fish for your home aquariums.
DISPOSE leftover bait into the garbage.
DON’T DUMP unwanted plants or animals into the wild.

Clean, drain, and dry

Most invasive species’ introductions take place by accident when they “hitchhike” on boats. Small invasives, such as the spiny waterflea, can be difficult to detect by eye and survive in very small amounts of water.

Help Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species:
CLEAN off aquatic plants, animals, and mud from your watercraft and other equipment.
DRAIN water from your watercraft including the motor, bilge, live well, and ballast.
DRY your watercraft for five days or more when moving between waters in order to kill small species not easily seen.

This project was funded by an agreement awarded by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commissoin in partnership with the Lake Champlain Basin Program. NEIWPCC manages LCBP’s personel, contract, grant, budget tasks and provides input on the program’s activities through a partnership with the LCBP Steering Committee.
The viewpoints expressed here do not necessarily represent those of NEIWPCC, the LCBP Sterring Committee, and GLFC, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or causes constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
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