Development of a National Snakehead Control and Management Plan
The introduction of non native northern snakeheads into waterways of the United States has received a great deal of media, public and political attention. Unfortunately, this awareness has not served to prevent further spread of snakehead into American waterways. Snakeheads have been introduced in several areas of the Northeast including tributaries of the Potomac River below Washington D.C. twenty were captured in this area in 2004 and over 300 individuals were captured in 2005. These fish are successfully foraging, utilizing available habitat, reproducing and now appear to be firmly established in the Potomac River. Congress has requested that the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) address concerns about the introduction of Northern Snakeheads. The Senate report 109-084, Energy & Water Appropriations Bill 2006, of the 109th Congress states; "the Committee is concerned by the recent discoveries of northern snakeheads in the Potomac River and its potential impacts on native fish populations through predation, food and habitat competition, or the introduction of diseases and parasites. The Committee directs the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to submit a report to Congress no later than 180 days after enactment on steps the Agency is taking to identify, contain, and eradicate the species."
I have been designated to coordinate preparation of a National Snakehead Control and Management Plan (SCMP) to comply with this congressional mandate. As coordinator I need to assemble a working group (WG) whose task is to develop a plan. This group will include representatives from state and federal agencies, industry, law enforcement and other interested stakeholders from the affected jurisdictions. I am requesting your assistance (or designated proxy) with the development of this plan. Please indicate whether you will be able to participate by December 31, 2005. If you are unable to participate in this group, suggestions for alternate participants would be appreciated. The work group will be supplied with background materials to assist in developing the SMCP. These materials will include other USFWS invasive species management plans, the USGS Biological Synopsis and Risk Assessment for snakeheads and related materials. After these materials are distributed an initial meeting of the work group will be scheduled. The USFWS can assist with travel expenses and per diems for participants. I intend to convene the first meeting in January 2006 and anticipate assembling a draft plan by April 2006. The focus of the plan will be to identify specific control actions for existing introductions in the Northeast and to identify prevention, early detection and rapid response, control, research and outreach measures for the entire United States. I would greatly appreciate your participation with this effort.
Potential Northern Snakehead Management and Control Plan Work Group Members
A.C. Carpenter PRFC prfc@crosslink.net 804 224-7148
Melissa Cohen NYDEC mkcohen@gw.dec.state.ny.us 718 482-4022
Walter R. Courtenay USGS wcourtenay@usgs.gov 352 264-3519
Jim Cummins ICPRB jcummins@icprb.org 301 984-1908 ext. 106
Kari Duncan USFWS kari_duncan@fws.gov 703 358-2464
Bob Lundsford MDNR searly@dnr.state.md.us 410 260 8321
Ken Endress LE Kenneth_endress@fws.gov 410 5734514
Jim Gilmore NYDEC jgilmore@gw.dec.state.ny.us 718 482-4875
Cindy Kolar USGS ckolar@usgs.gov 703 648-4023
Steve Minkkinen USFWS-Coordinator steve_minkkinen@fws.gov 410 573-4506
John Odenkirk VDGIF John.Odenkirk@dgif.virginia.gov 540 899-4169
Tom Orrell SI orrellt@si.edu 202 633-2151
Ken Penrod Fishing Guide kenpenrod@comcast.net 301 582-9404
Karl Roscher MDA roscherk@mda.state.md.us 410 841-5724
Jon Siemien D.C. Fisheries jon.siemien@dc.gov 730 358-2464
Pam Thiel USFWS pam_thiel@fws.gov 608 783-8431
Julie Thompson USFWS Julie_thompson@fws.gov 410 573-4517
Erin Williams USFWS Erin_williams@fws.gov 703 358-2034