March 3rd: Wild Hogs (Sus scrofa) & Lionfish (Pterois volitans):
The impact of wild hogs on the environment is soil erosion, decreased water quality, spread of other invasive plants, damage to agricultural crops, and damage to native plants and animals. Photo by Jennifer Bearden
Wild Hogs: Wild Hogs, also called Feral Hogs, are not native to the U.S. Domesticated pigs were introduced by early settlers because they could adapt to a wide variety of habitats. These pigs were kept on open ranges and used as a food source for settlers and Native Americans. In the early 1900’s, true Eurasian wild boars were introduced for hunting purposes. The population of wild hogs today are hybrids of Eurasian and domestic pigs.
Wild hogs are highly adaptable and can find suitable habitat easily. Wild hogs can be all shapes, sizes and colors since they are hybrids of many different breeds. Wild hogs sometimes resemble their domestic relatives but sometimes resemble their Eurasian backgrounds.
Wild hogs are probably the most prolific large mammals in the world. They reach sexual maturity at a young age. Females have multiple litters of 3-8 piglets per year. Natural mortality rates are low. Wild hog females and young live and travel in groups called sounders. Sounders typically have 1 to 3 adults and several young. When females reach maturity, they either stay with the sounder or they go out and form a new sounder with other young females. Young males leave the sounder alone at about 16 months.
Wild hogs are opportunistic omnivores that feed by rooting and grazing. This rooting behavior is why we consider them to be a pest. The impact of wild hogs on the environment is soil erosion, decreased water quality, spread of other invasive plants, damage to agricultural crops, and damage to native plants and animals. They have been documented as threats to threatened and endangered species. They can significantly impact populations of reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, ground nesting birds and even deer.
Wild hogs pose a health risk to humans because they can carry numerous diseases and parasites. Care should be taken when handling wild hogs. Wear gloves, cover any open wounds, and wear clothing that can be cleaned thoroughly. Human hunting is the most significant cause of mortality in wild hogs, although hunting alone will not control hog populations in a good habitat. The most effective way to remove wild hogs from a location is a combination of trapping and shooting.
In Florida, wild hogs may be hunted year round on private land (with permission of the landowner) and at night with no permit required. Hogs may be trapped year round. Wild hogs cannot be trapped and released onto public land. Trapped wild hogs can only be transported with a permit from FDACS) to slaughter or to an approved Feral Swine Holding Facility. For more information on Wild Hogs, go to: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw322 and http://www.myfwc.com/hunting/by-species/wild-hog/. For more information on Wild Hogs, go to: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw322
For more information contact the author Jennifer Bearden, Agriculture Extension Agent, 850-689-5850.
Photo courtesy of Florida Sea Grant
Lionfish:The Red Lionfish are a predatory reef fish that are non-native invasive species and have spread throughout Florida Waters. They are members of the family Scorpaenidae, all members are venomous and the lionfish is no exception. This fish is relatively small typically ranging from 12-15 inches in length and have a zebra-like appearance with long, showy pectoral fins. They have a row of long, dorsal spines that contain venom glands. Their native range is the South Pacific and Indian Oceans and preferred habitat is on offshore reef structures. These fish are considered to be voracious eaters feeding on native fish, reducing vital native populations, and competing for food with native fish such as grouper and snapper.
With few predators, these fish are thriving in Florida waters, even in the northern Gulf of Mexico. They reproduce often, sometimes all year, with their eggs hatching after about two days. They also consume a variety of local species, causing 80% decline in reef fish recruitment and loss of some economically important species. These fish are able to expand their stomachs for large meals and can survive starvation for over 12 weeks. These fish are an invasive species in our local waters and removal is encouraged. The most effective control of this species is removal by human. These fish are cryptic and nocturnal so locating them can be tricky. Spearfishing is the method of choice, since lionfish rarely bite a hook and line. Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) changed regulations to increase harvesting opportunities. Such changes include no requirement for a recreational fishing license when using spearing devices (pole spear, a Hawaiian Sling, handheld net, or spearing devices marked for use on lionfish), and no recreational or commercial bag limit, though recreational fishing license is required for other fishing methods. Check the FWC regulations before fishing or diving for these species.
Lionfish are venomous, must be handled carefully, venom glands occur on the dorsal, pelvic and anal spines. Lionfish sightings should be reported at 877.786.7267, if stung seek medical attention as soon as possible. Rarely are stings fatal unless the person has an allergy to the venom. The Poison Help Hotline can be reached at 800.222.1222. Sighting information is being collected to track the movement of these species. Fill out the online report on the USGS website or the REEF website. Stay up to date on research as it pertains to this species at www.flseagrant.org. For locals you can report sighting also at www.lionfishmap.org.
For more information contact the author Brooke Saari, Sea Grant Marine Science Extension Agent, 850-689-5850.
This past October, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission held the first state lionfish summit in Cocoa Beach. Researchers, fishery managers, divers, fishermen, and the general public received research updates, discussed current issues, and provided input regarding future management needs. Here are a few of the interesting highlights from the summit.
Red Lionfish Photo: Florida Sea Grant
What are the potential problems?
Several theories on how lionfish were initial released into state waters have been suggested. However, research results now indicate a single introduction of lionfish in Florida initiated the invasion into the Western Atlantic presumably from just a few aquarium specimens.
Sixty-thousand lionfish continue to be imported into the state each year.
Compared to native Pacific population, Florida densities of lionfish are much higher; 400 fish/hectare in Florida compared to 80 fish/hectare in the Pacific. On average, invasive Atlantic Lionfish individuals are larger than the native populations in the Pacific basin.
Studies from Pensacola showed that lionfish population has doubled annually since 2010 and lionfish densities are highest on artificial reefs.
Invasive lionfish have no natural predators and may spawn 30,000 – 40,000 eggs every 2 to 4 days.
Another potential problem reported are records of lionfish entering the Loxahatchee and Indian Rivers; indicating that they are able to move into brackish water.
What are the negative impacts?
Young lionfish feed primarily on crustaceans and when they are older they prey on reef fish. Research and stomach analysis indicate 70 different reef fish species as potential prey. Lobster fishermen in the Keys found lionfish are the leading by-catch species and have reduced lobster harvest by as much as 50%. Another study indicates lionfish on natural reefs they prefer blennies. However, on artificial reefs they feed on small snappers, sea bass, and groupers. Finally, an interesting study compared primary reef predators. Reefs with only grouper there was a 36% decrease of juvenile fish while reefs with lionfish the decrease was 94%.
What can be done?
Several reports indicate that collecting tournaments are effective; Lad Akins of Reef Environmental Education Foundation (www.reef.org) reported a 69% reduction of lionfish from one event in Key Largo. Another study had similar results but indicated that some spear fishermen were more successful than others, suggesting training may be required to increase efficiency.
Other reports indicate that work where native fish were introduced and conditioned to consume lionfish have led these native predators to follow and even bite divers thinking that “free food” may be available; it was suggested that this idea not be pursued.
Locally, lionfish rodeos sponsored by Emerald Coast Reef Association occur frequently in Okaloosa County. Escambia County Marine Resources hosted a pilot event this summer. Escambia will begin a full lionfish control program in 2014. If you have questions or comments, please contact your local UF/IFAS natural resource or Sea Grant Extension Agent.
Please note: UF/IFAS and Florida Sea Grant does not organize volunteers to participate in local lionfish control events; this is done by independent community groups. UF/IFAS and Florida Sea Grant provides this information about food safety concerns associated with eating lionfish. Click here for more information.
Photo Courtesy of NOAA – Car bodies and other thin metal materials such as appliances were once used to create artificial reefs. Monitoring revealed these materials deteriorate quickly.
History of Artificial Reefs and Materials Ancient mariners observed large numbers of fish inhabiting areas near sunken vessels. Our first sailors quickly realized objects placed in the sea are almost immediately colonized by marine life.
Based on these early observations, the first artificial reefs were constructed from materials purposefully put underwater to enrich marine life. New reefs were mainly constructed from deteriorating vessels or “materials of opportunity”.
In the 1830s, artificial reef pioneers in South Carolina experimented using log huts, which they discovered deteriorated in a few short years. Locally, in the Florida Panhandle, as early as the 1950s and 60s, railroad cars, school buses, car bodies, white goods (stoves, refrigerator, washer, etc.), tires, and even porcelain fixtures were used to create artificial reefs.
Today’s artificial reef materials are no longer the “underwater junk yards” of the past but marine resources that are carefully deployed and calculated to last at least 20 years without harm to wildlife or the environment. Decommissioned steel hulled ships, military surplus, nested concrete culvert, and durable “materials of opportunity” are still utilized today. Additionally, new engineered concrete artificial reef modules that support specific species and various life stages of fish have been developed. Current fisheries research seeks to refine materials, design, and placement of artificial reefs to maximize conservation through planned monitoring activities.
Courtesy of Florida Sea Grant. In total, it takes about 3 – 5 years for reefs to reach a level of maximum production for both fish and invertebrate species.
Within hours of sinking a vessel or concrete reef, baitfish move into their new home. This initiates a “parade” of marine life over several months. The hard structure of an artificial reef is slowly colonized by soft corals, sponges, plants, and barnacles. Baitfish will soon have new neighbors, as snapper and grouper take residence. Nearby sand sediments come to life with sea stars, sand dollars, and other invertebrate species.
Attraction vs. Production Almost as old as the history of artificial reefs is the question of attraction vs. production. Do artificial reefs actually increase the fish population or merely increase the number of fish being caught? Researchers struggled with this question for decades producing seemingly conflicting results. Today’s consensus is that the answer to the question is both yes and no – it depends.
When fishing pressure and mortality exceed the number of fish produced, artificial reefs can end up as expensive fishing equipment. It’s in everyone’s interest to avoid this situation and create productive resources.
Photo Courtesy of Okaloosa County Sea Grant and Joy Brown. Engineered concrete reefs with limestone rock. Modules are easily stacked for transport and then deployed by crane to create patch reefs.
Fisheries Management Tools Artificial reefs are best used as a fisheries conservation tool that disperses fishing pressure and promotes healthy fish stocks. Reefs are strategically deployed so that the exposure to fishing pressure is limited by either time or by geographic location. The ultimate goal when using artificial reefs is for fish production to exceed any fishing or natural mortality.
Economic Benefits of Artificial Reefs
Our artificial reefs support more than just fish. They support jobs and people that earn a living from tourism associated with diving and fishing. In 1998, Florida State University researchers, estimated fishing and diving activities supported nearly 8,136 jobs and 84 million dollars in salary each year in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay counties. Despite the age of the study, it provides an idea of how vital artificial reefs and marine recreation are to Northwest Florida.
Photo Courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife and Bill Horn. Different types of modules are now being deployed together. Innovations like this narrow spaced ecosystem reef help expand the diversity of fish species and ages supported in today‘s reef designs.
How to Access Northwest Florida’s Artificial Reefs
Save the date for the Florida Sea Grant-FWC Artificial Reef Workshop on Feb. 19-20 in Niceville. (Photo courtesy Bill Horn, FWC)
Please save the date for the 2013 Northwest Florida Regional Artificial Reef Workshop sponsored by Florida Sea Grant and FWC, to be held at the Niceville Community Center in Niceville, FL on Wednesday-Thursday, February 19-20, 2013. (Change due to Gulf Council Meeting Date Conflict)
Agenda and Registration Information to be released Dec 14 or earlier.
a pest. The impact of wild hogs on the environment is soil erosion, decreased water quality, spread of other invasive plants, damage to agricultural crops, and damage to native plants and animals. They have been documented as threats to threatened and endangered species. They can significantly impact populations of reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, ground nesting birds and even deer.
