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Nanfa Response To Audubon Article


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#1 Guest_fundulus_*

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Posted 26 July 2007 - 04:14 PM

Last week someone on the other NANFA list brought up the subject of a recent article in the Audubon Society's magazine promoting the use of Gambusia in garden pools to control mosquitos. This is deeply wrong, of course, and below is a joint letter that NANFA and the Desert Fishes Council (DFC) are sending to the Audubon magazine pointing out the errors of their way. A similar letter is also being sent by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH).


Dear Audubon Society

Our organizations, the Desert Fishes Council (DFC) and the North American
Native Fishes Association (NANFA) are concerned about a recent article in
Audubon magazine (“Green Guru,” July – August 2007) advocating topminnows
or Eastern Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) for garden ponds to control
mosquito larvae. Although well intentioned, the author is promoting
environmental havoc.

Both species of mosquitofish (G. affinis and G. holbrooki) are native
within the USA to drainages from the Rio Grande in New Mexico eastward and
south of New Jersey. They are extremely hardy and aggressive and have
been widely introduced worldwide and within the USA for the purpose of
mosquito control. This has had severe consequences for native fishes,
tadpoles, newts and other aquatic biota in regions where mosquitofish are
non-native. Even within their broad natural range there are many habitats
where mosquitofish do not occur. After their introduction, mosquitofish
have caused the decline of species, including numerous rare and endangered
species such as the Gila Topminnow (Poeciliopsis occidentalis) in Arizona
and Barrens Topminnow (Fundulus julisia) in Tennessee. Almost any fish
introduced into a garden pond or other water body will control mosquito
larvae, and it would be much better if local native species were used
instead of spreading this documented pest. Barring the use of natural and
native “biocontrols,” it is possible to reduce mosquitos in ponds by
circulating the water with a pump, aerator, or fountain.

We recommend several websites which explain and document the problems with
mosquitofish and provide links to other sites. The US Geological Survey
Nonindigenous Aquatic Species web pages on Eastern Mosquitofish,
http://nas.er.usgs.g...p?speciesID=845, Western
Mosquitofish http://nas.er.usgs.g...p?speciesID=846,
and the Gambusia Control Website, http://www.gambusia.net, or the
scientific paper by Graham Pyke, (Pyke, G.H. 2005. A review of the biology
of Gambusia affinis and G. holbrooki. Reviews in Fish Biology and
Fisheries. 15: 339-365.) all provide basic documentation of the problems
associated with the introduction of Mosquitofish.

Our organizations advocate the responsible use of native fishes.
Introducing mosquitofish (or any non-indigenous species) into areas or
habitats in which they do not naturally occur presents substantial risk to
native aquatic organisms and should not be encouraged – particularly by a
high-profile and highly-regarded conservation organization like the
National Audubon Society. The DFC and NANFA urges you to reconsider any
advocacy in favor of using mosquitofish in garden ponds to control
mosquito larvae.

Sincerely,
President DFC President, NANFA
Nathan Allen Bruce Stallsmith
PO Box 337 1107 Argonne Drive
Bishop CA 93515-0337 Baltimore MD 21218

#2 Guest_Brooklamprey_*

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Posted 26 July 2007 - 05:32 PM

A similar letter is also being sent by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH).


I do believe that American Fisheries Society (AFS)- Introduced fishes section is working on a response as well in regards to this very serious and important matter....It is good to see such a unified response among so many concerned conservation organizations in dealing with this problem.

#3 Guest_iturnrocks_*

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Posted 28 July 2007 - 03:35 PM

Here is the article in question, I think.

Posted Image

I would like to create a small pond in my yard to attract wildlife, but what can I do to prevent mosquitoes from settling in and spreading West Nile virus?
—Barbara Mitchell, Annapolis, MD

Whatever kind of splashy set-up you have in mind, the key to mosquito prevention is to keep the water moving. Mosquitoes are the primary carriers of West Nile virus, producing eggs that are most likely to mature into larvae (then stinging bloodsuckers) in standing water that’s not well aerated. Using an appropriately sized circulating pump will keep the flow moving in your water feature and make it inhospitable to mosquito reproduction. Going one step further, a small waterfall that feeds into your pond will look inviting, sound relaxing, and create an especially good place for songbirds to gather for a bath.

If further steps are necessary, Roger Nasci, chief of the Arboviral Disease Branch of the Centers for Disease Control, recommends natural biological controls to keep mosquitoes at bay. Stock your pond with top minnows, he says, because they feed on mosquitoes. Gambusia affinis is the most common species, and can often be found in pet stores. Also try calling your local mosquito control district—they may be giving the minnows away. Another way to discourage mosquitoes from settling in is to use a natural bacteria-derived pesticide, commonly marketed as a “mosquito dunk.” The bacteria kills filter-feeding mosquito larvae when they digest it. “The dunks are not toxic to other animals, fish, or birds,” says Nasci. Even if a bird or other wild animal were to eat the poisoned larva, it would not affect them.

Other sources of standing water kept outside—pet food dishes, flowerpots, swimming pool covers, buckets, barrels—can also be cozy homes for mosquitoes. Make sure to empty such standing sources of water at least once or twice a week.

http://magazine.audu...enguru0707.html

#4 Guest_tglassburner_*

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Posted 28 July 2007 - 09:28 PM

Last week someone on the other NANFA list brought up the subject of a recent article in the Audubon Society's magazine promoting the use of Gambusia in garden pools to control mosquitos.

NANFA has another list?

#5 Guest_Irate Mormon_*

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Posted 28 July 2007 - 11:49 PM

Two others, actually. There is the email list, which is pretty much defunct now since the forum is online, and the BOD list, which is email only.

#6 Guest_edbihary_*

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Posted 29 July 2007 - 03:09 AM

Two others, actually. There is the email list, which is pretty much defunct now since the forum is online, and the BOD list, which is email only.

What does BOD mean?

I haven't received a digest from the e-mail list since March 17. I've sent messages to the list administrator about this, and received no reply. Was I dropped from the list? Is it no more?

#7 Guest_Irate Mormon_*

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Posted 29 July 2007 - 09:22 AM

What does BOD mean?

I haven't received a digest from the e-mail list since March 17. I've sent messages to the list administrator about this, and received no reply. Was I dropped from the list? Is it no more?


BOD = Board of Directors. It's open to all NANFA members who are interested in following or participating in club business.

The "regular" email list is still functioning, but it's down to maybe 1 or 2 posts a day.

#8 Guest_drewish_*

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Posted 29 July 2007 - 11:54 AM

Just visit http://nanfa.org/email.shtml for information. If you are no longer subscribed, re-subscribe.



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