LGLFRO biologist, Mike Goehle, discusses aquatic invasive species during the awards ceremony. (Photo: Denise Clay/USFWS)

A few of the 400+ participants in the Tonawanda Kid’s Fishing Derby. (Photo: Denise Clay/USFWS)

Some of the 320 round gobies collected during the Tonawanda Kid’s Fishing Derby. (Photo: Denise Clay/USFWS)

The Lower Great Lakes Fishery Resources Office (LGLFRO) participated in the 12^th Annual Kids Fishing Derby, held in Tonawanda, NY.  This year, fish biologist Mike Goehle and STEP student, Denise Clay staffed the office's display and also conducted a round goby count in an effort to document the abundance of goby during this event.  This effort was to help educate the public and illustrate, first hand, the impact of this aquatic invasive species (AIS) on local ecosystems.  Seven "goby buckets" were distributed along the shoreline and derby participants were encouraged to put their gobies in the buckets during the 3-hour event.  At the end of the competition, 320 large round gobies (4-7") had been collected in buckets.  During the awards ceremony, Mike was given the opportunity to discuss the results of the goby count with over 400 children and adults.  Emphasizing that more goby were captured than the other targeted species, he used the goby catch as an example of the significant impact AIS can have and why it is important to help prevent their spread and the introduction of new species.  Mike also encouraged people to visit the office's display for more information about AIS and sport fishing, especially for children.  More than 400 children, accompanied by at least 200 additional parents, grandparents, or other guardians participated in the fishing derby hosted by the City of Tonawanda.