The case in summary: Seabass, a freshwater fish from North America, is spreading in Norwegian ponds. The fish was first discovered in Norway in 2004 and has since been spread to several ponds. It is believed that the fish was introduced into Norwegian waters when someone emptied their aquarium. In order to combat sunfish, an application has been made to treat four ponds in Lier, Asker and Moss with rotenone, a chemical treatment that will remove all fish. There is concern about the major ecological consequences of introducing alien species into Norwegian nature. The Nature Conservancy believes that we have too little knowledge about the ecological consequences. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. – We have applied to remove sun perch, and then we have to remove all fish. Karsten Butenschøn at the State Administrator in Oslo and Viken realizes that rotenone treatment is a drastic measure. Photo: State administrator in Oslo and Viken Section chief Karsten Butenschøn at the State administrator in Oslo and Viken says that they have now applied to the Environment Agency to treat four ponds in Lier, Asker and Moss with rotenone. The reason is that they want to eradicate sunfish. It is a freshwater fish native to the northeastern part of North America. I think someone has released aquarium fish In Norway, sun perch was first found in the Einadammen in Asker in 2004. Later it has been released in several ponds and ponds. It does not spread between waters without human help. Ole-Håkon Heier with one of the many sunfish he has caught on a rod. Most sunfish do not get much bigger than this in Norway, Photo: Ole-Håkon Heier – If we had known how, someone would have received an inquiry from the police. But we assume that someone has emptied their aquarium, says Butenschøn. He says that it can be serious for the environment if organisms that do not belong are released. – It can have major ecological consequences. It is strictly forbidden to release animals into the wild without a permit. It is not so easy to remove sunfish effectively without removing all other fish at the same time. The solution is chemical treatment with rotenone. – I understand that it seems dramatic, and it is dramatic for the pond being treated. There are very many animals that will die from the treatment. But over time you see that what should be in the pond comes back again by itself. Got “crazy amounts” Ole-Håkon Heier from Degernes in Østfold is well above average interested in fishing. He says that he occasionally catches sunfish on the hook. The first time he caught sunfish was in Asker in 2006. Ole-Håkon Heier says he has caught many sunfish on a rod. Photo: Ole-Håkon Heier – I have also received several in Molbekktjernet in Moss. Last year I was in Verpentjern, right on the other side of the Oslofjord. There were crazy amounts. They stood close together along the whole country and guarded their territory. I was there in June, and then you could just stand and pick them. So I probably had 30 pieces within an hour. I have been there on the ice, and then we got 70. He says that he has also heard that there are sun perch in at least two ponds in Indre Østfold. – I’ll go and check it out. I hope that is not true. Just a few hours later, a message with a photo arrives from him: Ole-Håkon Heier got this sunfish just hours after the interview with news. Photo: Ole-Håkon Heier – A huge mistake Arnodd Håpnes is responsible for biodiversity at the Nature Conservation Association. He says that they are not in principle opposed to using rotenone. – But we have too little knowledge about the major ecological consequences. We remove the fish we don’t want there, and then we can release new fish. But we have no idea of the consequences for the ecosystem and composition of insect life and benthic animals, for example. Arnodd Håpnes in the Nature Conservation Association believes that we know too little about the consequences of using rotenone. Photo: Naturvernforbundet Mink, Canada goose, harbor sparrow and garden lupine are examples of alien species that have established themselves in Norway and which have a negative effect on natural diversity. – We just have to realize that we have got them out into our nature. A huge mistake. They are extremely difficult to remove without taking heavy measures which are expensive, time-consuming and which kill other life. Published 03.07.2024, at 15.23
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Will eradicate aquarium fish in Norwegian ponds – news Østfold – Local news, TV and radio
