Snakehead Scientific Advisory Panel
Report Recommends Common Herbicides And A
Pesticide To Erradicate Fish From Crofton Pond
ANNAPOLIS, MD (July 26, 2002) - Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary J. Charles Fox today received and released the report of the Snakehead Scientific Advisory Panel, which recommends the use of commonly used herbicides and a pesticide to eradicate the snakehead fish in the Crofton pond.“I would like to thank the panel for their thoughtful and prompt evaluation of the threat of this non-native fish and their assessment of the options available for control and eradication in the pond where northern snakeheads have become established,” Secretary Fox said.
After considering a wide range of options, the panel recommended the use of herbicides to kill the vegetation before applying the pesticide rotenone to ensure that the snakehead fish are eradicated. The chemicals that the scientific panel recommended are commonly used, and break down naturally in the environment. The herbicides recommended include: Glyphosate which is widely available as Rodeo or Roundup, Diquat dibromide which is sold as Reglone and Reward, and 2,4-D which is also commonly available. The pesticide rotenone is publicly available in synthetic form as Sevin.
The panel recommendations are available on DNR’s Web site: www.dnr.state.md.us/irc/ssap_report.html. Comments on the recommendations can be e-mailed from the Web site, or made by calling (410) 260-8327. A decision by Secretary Fox is expected before the end of next week.
The Snakehead Scientific Advisory Panel is chaired by Donald F. Boesch, President of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, and will also recommend actions related to the broader policy issues surrounding the introduction of non-native species.
More information about Snakeheads in Maryland...
Posted July 26, 2002
Updated July 29, 2002