Page 4 - PGA Community News - May '23

Page 4, PGA C.A.N.! May 2023 May 2023

Editorial Board Grass Carp As Biological Weed Control

By Katie Roundtree, a grazer, feeding on vegetation near the surface and in
Editor: James A. Cioffi Director of Finance and shallower waters. The new growth of underwater plants
james@jcclaw.com Administration, Northern is preferred. Plant feeding depends on fish size, with
Feature Writers: Dawn Levinstein, POA Palm Beach County small fish preferring grasses like musk grass and large
Gail Coppage, POA Improvement District fish preferring hardier plants such as hydrilla and torpedo
Commissioner Maria Marino Northern Palm Beach grass. Small fish will eat only the leaves, but as they
Katie Roundtree
Contributing County Improvement increase in size, they will eat both leaves and stems. As
Reporter: Don Kiselewski District uses several adults, they consume large amounts of plant material. In
methods of aquatic weed suitably warm water, an adult grass carp will consume its
Your editors strongly believe that the number control in lakes and canals body weight in hydrilla daily. Because of their feeding
of people who do become involved with any that we maintain. Some behavior, they are used under special restricted programs
news medium directly reflects on that medium’s are more obvious, like in our area to help manage aquatic plant problems. Florida
excellence, versatility and broad viewpoint. chemical treatment or manually removing unwanted Fish and Wildlife Commission requires a permit to stock
Therefore, we invite PGA residents to contribute plants from the waterways. However, there is a lesser- lakes with grass carp.
articles or current, timely news items and/or
“Letters to the Editors.” known means that is relatively efficient and more long- While these fish are an effective means of aquatic
Articles/letters are subject to editing and editors’ term than other means. The grass carp, also known as plant control, several factors must be considered before
right to publish. Submission must include writer’s white amur (Ctenopharyngodon Idella), can effectively using them. Grass carp are not picky eaters. They will
name, address and telephone number. Unsigned articles control unwanted plants in our lakes and canals. The generally eat the undesirable plant species first. When
/letters will not be published. Opposing views to article grass carp is native to large coastal rivers in Siberia (Amur those plants are unavailable, they will move onto any
viewpoints contained in this paper are welcome. River) and China that flow into the Pacific Ocean. They plant in the water body. Therefore, a limited number of
Articles do not necessarily represent the viewpoint are one of the largest members of the minnow family. The fish are introduced into the ecosystem so that the native
of the C.A.N.! organization. Submissions should back of the grass carp is silvery to dark grey with large fish also have plenty of food. They are intelligent and are
be mailed or delivered by the tenth of each month scales, and the sides of the body are lighter with a slightly notorious for eluding capture if the population gets out
for the following month’s publication (example: by golden sheen. The belly is silvery white, and the fins are of control. Careful program management is imperative
January 10 for February publication) to: generally greenish-grey. The carp used in aquatic weed to avoid consuming too many plants and disrupting the
C.A.N.! Editors
or programs in Florida are triploid grass carp. Triploid grass natural balance of plants and animals.
Contact the publisher for additional information carp have three sets of chromosomes instead of the usual Northern strives to maintain our lakes and canals
regarding submissions, fax (561) 627-9088 or e-mail two, which renders them functionally sterile. Triploids are in optimal condition, allowing water to flow freely,
canpga@yahoo.com. produced artificially and cannot reproduce. Therefore, especially during storm events. Biologic weed control
Let’s hear from you. only the fish introduced will remain for their life span, is one method that is very effective under the right
and more can be added to replace them in about five to conditions. Stocking grass carp into our deeper lakes and
10 years. canals helps keep the aquatic weeds under control and
As the name implies, grass carp consume aquatic plants water flowing.
and submerged grasses. Many aquatic plants that pose Source: University of Florida/ IFAS
problems in Florida are exotic and have few natural insect NPDES tip: Planting a rain garden with native plants
or disease controls; consequently, they frequently create somewhere around your home helps lock rain water in
problems with access, navigation, flood control, irrigation the ground, reducing the flow of pollutants and poisons
and aesthetics. Since chemical herbicides and mechanical into the drains. Using organic fertilizers and pesticides
removal are costly alternatives that often cause secondary in your garden further protects and brings health to your
issues, triploid grass carp can provide a beneficial yard and all the species living there.
tool. They are
most effective in
lakes and deeper
Pressure Washing & Roof Cleaning canals since they
can grow 25 to 35
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