Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area

WORKING TO PROTECT THE EVERGLADES FROM INVASIVE SPECIES

7th Annual Everglades CISMA Non-Native Fish Round Up

April 16, 2016

The Everglades ecosystem is home to at least 22 nonnative freshwater fish species. These non-native fish may be causing detrimental changes to our native fish communities, particularly as the number of new species continues to increase. All but two of these fish were introduced illegally as the result of releases of unwanted pets and food fish, or due to the flooding of aquaculture ponds.

The Everglades CISMA is hosting the Everglades Non-native Fish Round Up to raise public awareness about the potential negative impacts of releasing non-native fish into Florida waters, and to encourage anglers to target these nonnative species for consumption. The Round Up will also gather data into non-native fish distribution and abundance that can assist in their management.

The Round Up will be a one day event open to all anglers (shore or boat) fishing in the Everglades area. Prizes will be awarded for largest fish (not including Snakehead), largest Snakehead, largest aggregate catch (not including Snakehead), largest aggregate catch of Snakehead only. We will award a “Slam” prize to the angler that catches the greatest number of non-native species.  There will also be a junior prize division which will include prizes as well.

Results

The 7th Annual Everglades Non-Native Fish Round-Up had a total of 65 anglers with approximately 543 pounds of non-native fish caught. There was a tie in the slam category which was broken by total aggregate weight. More information regarding the prizes will be emailed to the winners later this week. If you would like us to email your team’s stats, let us know and we can get it to you. Thank you for your participation in this year’s Non-Native Fish Round-Up and we hope to see you again next year!

Adult Division

Nonnative Slam:

  • 1st Place: Michael Carabeo, Ziggy Carabeo, and Jorge Carabeo (8 species, 29.63 pounds; Mayan, Midas, Spotted Tilapia, Jaguar Guapote, Black Acara, Pike Killifish, Sailfin catfish, Jewelfish)
  • 2nd Place: Craig Perry, Joe Ingram, Michelle Prats (8 species, 8.84 pounds;  Midas, Mayan, Spotted Tilapia, Blue Tilapia, Black Acara, Pike Killifish, Sailfin Catfish, Jewelfish)

Largest Nonnative Fish (not including the Snakehead):

  • 1st Place: John Gleeson (Sailfin catfish; 3.58 pounds)
  • 2nd Place: Donovan Tate and Raul Amador (Blue Tilapia; 3.0 pounds)

Most weight of Nonnative Fish (not including the Snakehead):

  • 1st Place: Melissa Smith and Anthony Fernandez (95.2 pounds; Oscar and Mayan)
  • 2nd Place:  Daniel Hagood (73.78 pounds; Walking catfish, Blue Tilapia, Sailfin catfish, Mayan, Spotted Tilapia)

Most weight of and largest Snakehead:

  • John Gleeson (3.3 pounds; 1.1 pounds, respectively)

 

Junior Division

Nonnative Slam:

  • 1st Place: Nicholas Valderrama, Ethan Gaunaurd, Luis Sanchez, Christopher Costa (5; Walking Catifsh, Midas, Spotted Tilapia, Hornet Tilapia, Jewelfish)
  • 2nd Place: Elliot Suarez, Sophie Barimo (4; Oscar, Jaguar Guapote, Mayan, Spotted Tilapia)

Largest Nonnative Fish (not including the Snakehead):

  • 1st Place: Jonnie LaPadula (3.84 pounds; Blue Tilapia)
  • 2nd Place: Yves and Ethan Rogge (2.76 pounds; Sailfin Catfish)

Most weight of Nonnative Fish (not including the Snakehead):

  • 1st Place: Ryan Osborne (38.3 pounds; Mayan and Oscar)
  • 2nd Place: Timmy, Tommy, and Hayden Hawes (26.46 pounds; Mayan)

Most weight of and largest Snakehead:

  • Timmy, Tommy, and Hayden Hawes (5.46 pounds; 2.18 pounds, respectively)

 

Sponsors