Fwd: Fw: Crayfish Update
IISG ICC
Dear ICC Members,
Please see the forwarded message below for an update on the recent news about crayfish hitchhikers in feeder fish shipments.
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Good morning,
I wanted to send out an update on the crayfish hitchhiker situation that has been happening in several states over the last month. In a few places, crayfish hitchhikers have been found in shipments with goldfish and other feeder fish in retail pet stores. USFWS has been working with industry representatives to address this issue.
The primary retailer companies and the primary suppliers currently identified have taken steps to reduce the likelihood inadvertent transfer of non-target species. They have increased screening at the facility before transfer and are ensuring the end retail stores nation-wide are following company policies to send back contaminated shipments or to euthanize the hitchhiking organisms.
- The states who have reported contaminated shipments include: North Carolina, Idaho, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Alaska, Vermont, Nebraska and North Dakota.
- Oregon reported frog tadpoles, and Idaho had bullfrog tadpoles in with the crayfish and goldfish. In Wisconsin, one tadpole was found transitioning to frog in goldfish tank.
- Most shipments included a couple of young crayfish.
- At this time, one shipper from Arkansas has been identified, and they are taking additional precautions to ensure hitchhikers are not going out in future shipments.
- From some reports, it seems like this has happened in the past and store employees have given away the crayfish or sold them. Petco corporate has been really responsive and has sent out notices to all their stores to remind them of their policies on hitchhiking organisms. Given that some of the crayfish were coming from Arkansas, this might be seasonally related to spring crayfish movement as they might be getting into the outdoor stock ponds.
- Many of the crayfish are too small/too young to identify easily. Wisconsin has confirmed at least one of the crayfish that was large enough to ID was White River crayfish (Procambarus acutus).
At this time, since only one species of crayfish has been identified, and it is not a federally injurious species, there is no national protocol. We are, however, continuing to collect and document reports to help track shipments and to work with retailers to eliminate this issue.
Please contact Kristen Sommers at Kristen...@fws.gov and Kerry Wixted at kwi...@fishwildlife.org with any information or questions you may have or receive.
Please contact Kristen Sommers at Kristen...@fws.gov and Kerry Wixted at kwi...@fishwildlife.org with any information or questions you may have or receive.
Very much appreciated,
Kerry Wixted
Kerry Wixted (she/her)
Amphibian & Reptile and Invasive Species Program Manager
Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies
1100 First Street, Suite 825, Washington DC 20002
Telephone (202) 838-3454 / Fax 202-350-9869
Email: kwi...@fishwildlife.org
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