Most coastal residents along the panhandle are aware of the invasive lionfish and the potential impacts they could have on local fisheries and ecosystems. Since they were first detected in this area in 2010, there have been tournaments, workshops, and presentations, to help locals both learn about the animal and ways to control them. Existing non-profits have joined the fight and new non-profits have formed. In 2015 FWC and local organizations began hosting the Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day(LRAD) events. These are held the weekend after Mother’s Day. During the 2016 event in Pensacola, 8,089 lionfish were removed. In 2016 FWC introduced the Lionfish Challenge. This program began at the conclusion of the LRAD event and ran through September 30. Lionfish, or lionfish tails for those who wanted to keep the animal, could be turned into local collection sights and submitted for state awards and recognition – a Hall of Fame was created and King Lionfish. Over 16,000 lionfish were logged during this event. But has any of this helped? Are we getting control of this invasive species?
The Invasive Lionfish
Maybe… having conversations with local divers who work with researchers and remove for profit, it appears that the 2016 Pensacola LRAD may have made an impact. If you review the literature it states that to control an invasive species a minimum of 25% of the population should be removed annually. Others say you need to remove 75% and others still say it should be 25% each month. The problem here is that we do not know how many lionfish are actually out there. We know how many we are bringing in but is it enough?
One report, submitted by the non-profit REEF (from Key Largo) a few years ago, indicated they had removed about 70% of the lionfish in their area during one tournament. Based on this, the argument that tournaments are effective was supported. The recent Pensacola LRAD suggest the same. Local divers who remove lionfish with researchers, tourists, and as a commercial venture for themselves told us that their “sweet spots” – where high numbers of lionfish can be found – are not so sweet anymore. They are finding lionfish, but prior to LRAD it was not uncommon for some locations to have 50-100 lionfish around them. These same locations may yield 10-20 now. Though this information is anecdotal; it does suggest that these intensive tournaments may be having an effect on managing them. Of course a quantitative study is needed to confirm these observations, but it is encouraging none the less.
It is believed the tournaments alone will not solve the problem. With their high reproductive rates, continuous removals are needed. To encourage this divers can obtain a Saltwater Products Licensefrom FWC and sell what they catch. Some dive charters are now making it a tourism trip – “lionfish hunting”. As long as it marketed properly (as in they are not going to find tons of them – but will enjoy shooting a few) customers seem to be happy and are enjoying it. Of course they are still working on an effective trap so that non-divers can participate in control programs. It is also important to note that you should not get into a commercial venture on lionfish as your main source of income. To do so would lead to the argument “we do not want to get rid of lionfish because they are my livelihood”. The objective is to make them uncommon and reduce their impact on our marine resources.
Of course it will take time to know for sure just how effective the tournaments have been. Several will be meeting this week in Ocala to discuss the 2017 tournament season. I have written a longer update on the lionfish, which can be found at the Escambia County Extension Marine Science page.
The Asian Tiger Shrimp (Penaeusmonodon) have been reported across the northern Gulf of Mexico for several years now but unlike Cogon grass, Chinese tallow, and Lionfish they have not really made the press. We know they are there, but captures in shrimp trawls seem to be infrequent… it just does not look like a serious problem.
The Asian Tiger Shrimp can reach lengths of 12″
But now there is a study being conducted by Dr. Jennifer Hill (Louisiana Tech University) that sheds a little light on the impacts of this new invasive species. Working out of Dauphin Island Sea Lab, and funded by Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant, her study is looking at the interactions between the tiger shrimp and our native species – the white and brown shrimp.
Tiger Shrimp as Predators
Dr. Hill has discovered that tiger shrimp do not prefer salt marshes, as our native species do. They are apparently too large, ranging between 8 and 10 inches – some as large as 14 inches, and prefer more open environments. Tiger shrimp may prefer seagrass beds, another haunt for local shrimp, but she is not sure at the moment. She has noticed that when tiger shrimp are around the native shrimp move towards structure. This is to avoid predation by tiger shrimp, which do try and catch them – but they are not very good at it. Her study indicates that 80-90% of the native shrimp survive such attacks, but forcing the natives towards structure could impact the catch by our shrimpers.
Tiger Shrimp as Prey
Preferring open environments leaves tiger shrimp at a higher risk of predation. One thought is that their large size and dark color may not be recognized as a shrimp by local predators. One species that has shown interest in them are redfish. Dr. Hill has found that redfish will not hesitate to go after them, and may actually prefer them over white shrimp, but – because of the size of the tiger shrimp – it must be a large redfish.
Five tiger shrimp captured by shrimpers in Pensacola Bay.
Shrimpers in Alabama and Mississippi are currently selling the tiger shrimp they capture to Dr. Hill for her studies. She found that very few were captured in 2014, possibly due to the cold winter that year, but had plenty submitted in 2015. The mild winter of 2016 may produce a large number this summer. If you are shrimper in the Pensacola area, and interested in selling live tiger shrimp at $30 each, contact Dr. Hill at (251) 861-2141 ext. 2179.
Five tiger shrimp captured by shrimpers in Pensacola Bay.
Giant Tiger Prawn (Penaeus monodon):
This catchy phrase coined by Robert Turpin (Escambia County Marine Resources Division) describes a recent invader to our marine waters in the past decade. Many coastal residents are aware of the invasive lionfish that has invaded our local reefs but less have probably heard of the Asian Tiger Shrimp. This member of the penaeid shrimp family, the same family are ediblewhite, brown, and pink shrimp come from, was brought to the United States in the 1960’s and 70’s as an aquaculture project. Over the years farmers have moved from Tiger Shrimp to the Pacific White Shrimp and the last known active farm was in 2004.
The Asian Tiger Shrimp can reach lengths of 12″
In 1988, two thousand of these shrimp were lost from a farm in South Carolina during a flood event. Only 10% of those were recaptured and some were collected as far away as Cape Canaveral. No more was heard from this release until 2006 when 6 were captured; one of those in Mississippi Sound near Dauphin Island. Each year since the number of reported captures has increased suggesting they are breeding.
In the Panhandle, one individual was caught in 2011 near Panama City and 5 were collected in 2012 in Pensacola Bay. They have been found in all Gulf coast states and there has been at least 1 record in each of the Florida Panhandle counties. The future impact of this shrimp to our area is still unknown but they have a high tolerance for salinity change and consume many types of benthic invertebrates. Tiger shrimp may out compete our native penaeid shrimps and could possibly feed directly on the juveniles. It is thought that they could possibly transmit diseases to our native shrimp.
Giant Tiger Prawn: This large shrimp, also known as the Asian Tiger Shrimp and the Black Tiger Shrimp, can reach lengths between 8-12 inches. It resembles are native edible penaeid shrimp but differs in that it has distinct black and yellow stripes.
NOAA scientists are interested in obtaining samples of this shrimp for DNA studies. It differs from other local penaid shrimp in that it is larger (8-12” long), dark in color (dark green to black) and has light stripes (white to cream colored). The larva and juveniles live in the bay. Sub adults will migrate offshore for breeding. They are a tropical species that have a low tolerance for cold temperatures, showing no growth below 20°C. If you think you have found one of these shrimp, record size location (GPS preferred), and email information to ExoticReports@MyFWC.com. You can also report to EDDMapS using the website or I’ve Got One! phone app. To learn more about Tiger Prawns view the USGS factsheet.
The nonnative Giant Tiger Prawn – also known as the Black Tiger Shrimp. Photo by David Knott, Bugwood.org
This yard on Pensacola Beach has become over run by vitex. Photo courtesy of Rick O’Connor.
In 2013 we began writing about a potential invasive plant in the Florida panhandle called Beach Vitex (Vitex rotundifolia). The first record we knew of was reported from Pensacola Beach and was posted on EDDmaps.org. According to this website only two other records had been found in Florida, both in the Jacksonville area. It did not seem like a real problem and was not listed as an invasive species in the state. But I decided to survey Pensacola Beach and see if the plant might be growing in other places – it was – in 22 other places!
Based on the severe problems they have had with this plant in coastal communities of North and South Carolina, and the fact that more records were coming in of the plant in northeast Florida, both the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council and the University of Florida / IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants listed the plant as “invasive – not recommended”.
So is the plant a problem?
In the Carolina’s it certainly is. Used in dune restoration projects it quickly became a monoculture and displaced many species of native dune plants – including sea oats. It grows aggressively in the summer months, crossing bike paths and driveways and can extend towards the water impeding sea turtle nesting. One fear is that the plant will grow fast enough that a turtle nest will become overwhelmed by the plant before the eggs hatch, in a sense entrapping them. The plant produces a large tap root and extends above ground stolon in all directions. I have measured stolon over 20 feet in length and many secondary roots extending from these. Stolon extending from nearby vitex can form an intermingle mess of vines that can be very difficult to remove.
Another issue is the taproot. Most are small and manageable but we have measured some 3-4” in diameter and one, on Pensacola Beach, was about 10” in diameter. Once they reach this size removing becomes very difficult, if not impossible. The key is to identify and remove the plant early. It has become such a problem in the Carolina’s that a state task force has been created to address it.
So where does this plant stand in the Florida Panhandle?
Since the initial survey conducted on Pensacola Beach the plant has been found on 21 properties on Pensacola Beach itself and 1 property on Perdido Bay (both in Escambia County). It has been verified at two locations within the Naval Live Oaks Reservation within Gulf Islands National Seashore in Santa Rosa County. A survey of Perdido Key in 2015 found no evidence of the plant – but the Key will be surveyed again in 2016. As for coastal counties to the east – we are not sure.
This maybe one invasive plant we may be able to manage before it gets too far out of control.
(If you live in a coastal county between Pensacola and Aucilla River, and believe you may have the plant, please contact your local Extension Office to let them know. We would like to log the occurrence on EDDmaps and can provide advice to the property owner on how to safely remove it).
Do you have any exotic pets you can no longer care for? Would you like the opportunity to surrender those pets without any penalties or fines? Then join the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park for an Exotic Pet Amnesty Day on Oct. 3 in Fort Walton Beach.
This free event is open to the public and will be held in front of Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, 1010 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach. Admission to the park is not included. Surrendered animals will be accepted between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. These animals will be checked by a veterinarian and made available for adoption by experienced individuals who are capable of caring for them.
Animals that will be accepted for surrender include reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds, fish and invertebrates. Domestic animals, such as cats and dogs, will not be accepted. For each animal surrendered, individuals will receive two free admission passes to the Gulfarium.
Animals will be available for adoption after 2 p.m. Exotic pet adopters must be experienced and must have already applied and been approved by the FWC prior to the event. Potential adopters need to bring their acceptance letters with them. People can find adopter applications at MyFWC.com/Nonnatives. Becoming an adopter is free, but people are required to register a minimum of five days prior to the event to adopt an animal.
Experts from the FWC, Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park and other local organizations will be on hand with information about caring for exotic pets, responsible pet ownership and potential ecological impacts of invasive species in Florida. Families can enjoy the opportunity to see several species of exotic animals and participate in crafts and games.
For additional information about this event, call the FWC’s Exotic Species Hotline at 888-Ive-Got1 (888-483-4681). Exotic pet owners who cannot attend this event may call this number for assistance in finding a new home for their animal.
For more information about Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, call 850-243-9046 or visit http://www.gulfarium.com/.
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