Colorado officials recently reported the successful removal of a large number of invasive fish from a local pond, thanks to the alertness of a local fishing enthusiast. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) issued a press release detailing the discovery, which occurred after an angler reported the presence of bighead carp in Jack B. Tomlinson Park in Arvada, Colorado, last week. Responding to the tip, CPW aquatic biologists removed the fish from the pond and inspected a neighboring body of water linked by a culvert for the invasive species.
In total, fourteen bighead carp were discovered, all of them sizable. The fish measured at least three feet in length, with the heaviest weighing an impressive 46 pounds. Bighead carp, part of the Asian carp family, are not indigenous to Colorado and pose a threat to the ecosystem due to their prolific consumption of plankton. This diet puts them in direct competition with many native and sport fish species that rely on plankton as a food source.
"Bighead carp are filter feeders and can reach significant sizes in both small and large bodies of water," explained CPW Invasive Species Program Manager Robert Walters. "Once established, these fish can outcompete native Colorado species for food and resources." Despite being initially introduced in 1992 as part of a national study on pond algae reduction and subsequently removed in 1995, the species persisted.
CPW Northeast Region Public Information Officer Kara Van Hoose emphasized the rarity of finding bighead carp in Colorado waters and urged anglers to report any unusual sightings while fishing. She highlighted the threat invasive species pose when they lack natural predators in an area and have an abundance of food.
"The carp outcompeted any other species in the pond and negatively affected the pond’s overall aquatic health," Van Hoose added. CPW also lightened the mood in a social media post, mentioning that "many Jaws jokes were made" about the discovery and expressing gratitude to the angler who provided the tip.
"This operation all started with a tip from an angler," said CPW District Wildlife Manager for Westminster and Arvada, Philip Sorensen. "We are grateful when the public reaches out to tell us about invasive species in their neighborhoods. We want to know about the presence of invasive species."