Page 13 - Southern Exposure- May '23

Southern Exposure, Page 13

northern noteS

Grass Carp As Biological Weed Control

By Katie Roundtree, Director of Finance and Administration, Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District

Northern Palm Beach two, which renders them functionally sterile. Triploids are and large fish preferring hardier plants such as hydrilla and
County Improvement produced artificially and cannot reproduce. Therefore, only torpedo grass. Small fish will eat only the leaves, but as
District uses several the fish introduced will remain for their life span, and more they increase in size, they will eat both leaves and stems.
methods of aquatic weed can be added to replace them in about five to 10 years. As adults, they consume large amounts of plant material.
control in lakes and As the name implies, grass carp consume aquatic plants In suitably warm water, an adult grass carp will consume
canals that we maintain. and submerged grasses. Many aquatic plants that pose its body weight in hydrilla daily. Because of their feeding
Some are more obvious, problems in Florida are exotic and have few natural insect behavior, they are used under special restricted programs
like chemical treatment or disease controls; consequently, they frequently create in our area to help manage aquatic plant problems. Florida
or manually removing problems with access, navigation, flood control, irrigation Fish and Wildlife Commission requires a permit to stock
unwanted plants from the and aesthetics. Since chemical herbicides and mechanical lakes with grass carp.
waterways. However, there removal are costly alternatives that often cause secondary While these fish are an effective means of aquatic plant
is a lesser-known means issues, triploid grass carp can provide a beneficial tool. They control, several factors must be considered before using
that is relatively efficient and more long-term than are most effective in lakes and deeper canals since they them. Grass carp are not picky eaters. They will generally
other means. The grass carp, also known as white amur can grow 25 to 35 inches long and require a continual food eat the undesirable plant species first. When those plants
(Ctenopharyngodon Idella), can effectively control supply. When introduced, they usually start by consuming are unavailable, they will move onto any plant in the water
unwanted plants in our lakes and canals. The grass carp is torpedo grass but then move on to hydrilla and southern body. Therefore, a limited number of fish are introduced
native to large coastal rivers in Siberia (Amur River) and naiad. The grass carp is a grazer, feeding on vegetation into the ecosystem so that the native fish also have plenty
China that flow into the Pacific Ocean. They are one of the near the surface and in shallower waters. The new growth of food. They are intelligent and are notorious for eluding
largest members of the minnow family. The back of the of underwater plants is preferred. Plant feeding depends on capture if the population gets out of control. Careful
grass carp is silvery to dark grey with large scales, and the fish size, with small fish preferring grasses like musk grass program management is imperative to avoid consuming too
sides of the body many plants and disrupting the natural balance of plants
are lighter with and animals.
a slightly golden Northern strives to maintain our lakes and canals in
sheen. The belly optimal condition, allowing water to flow freely, especially
is silvery white, during storm events. Biologic weed control is one method
and the fins are that is very effective under the right conditions. Stocking
generally greenish- grass carp into our deeper lakes and canals helps keep the
grey. The carp used aquatic weeds under control and water flowing.
in aquatic weed Source: University of Florida/ IFAS
programs in Florida NPDES tip: Planting a rain garden with native plants
are triploid grass somewhere around your home helps lock rain water in the
carp. Triploid grass ground, reducing the flow of pollutants and poisons into
carp have three sets the drains. Using organic fertilizers and pesticides in your
of chromosomes garden further protects and brings health to your yard and
instead of the usual all the species living there.

Welcome

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Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 Port St. Lucie, FL 34984

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