Surviving the Aquatic Invasive Species Onslaught: Quantifying Threats to Québec’s Aquatic Ecosystems
Session: 02b. - Status and Management of Invasive Carps in the Great Lakes
Frederic Lecomte, Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs du Québec, [email protected]
Guillaume Côté, Ministère des Forêts, Faune et Parcs, [email protected]
Annick Drouin, Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs, [email protected]
Olivier Morissette, Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs, [email protected]
Rémy Pouliot, Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs, [email protected]
Abstract
From the end of the 19th century, aquatic invasive species (AIS) took a heavy toll on sport fishing activities in Québec while threatening local biodiversity and ecosystem integrity. As we are quantifying the impacts and threats brought by AIS throughout the various aquatic ecosystems in Québec, key actions are required to prevent the arrival of new species, mitigate the impacts and hopefully curb this phenomenon. Until recently, the supposed innocuous common carp is only beginning to be acknowledged for its large-scale impacts on the wetlands and its appropriation of a large portion of the total fish productivity. Simultaneously, other AIS are showing signs of exponential growth and dispersal (e.g. round goby, tench, common rudd, etc.) while recent findings suggest the infamous grass carp is already there. Recurrent observations of grass carp eDNA throughout the St.Lawrence River (SLR) since 2015 and the capture of a fertile, record sized (1.260 m), 9 years-old female in 2016 are justifying efforts aimed at protecting inland waters from invasion. Connectivity between the SLR and its tributaries were quantified and choking points where connectivity can be constrained are currently considered to prevent further spread of AIS in an effort to protect inland fishing activities and biodiversity.
1. Keyword
carp
2. Keyword
St. Lawrence River
3. Keyword
exotic species
4. Additional Keyword
Grass carp
5. Additional Keyword
Aquatic Invasive species
6. Additional Keyword
Risk Assessment