Snakehead gets death sentence/Jet boat

[cnypanfisher]

I guess the DEC is going to get that guy in Cicero's snakehead and put it in a deep freezer till it is dead today. The guy who owned it has had it for years since it was a little baby. I guess he wants to stuff the critter.

In other news, what does everyone think about that "new" jet boat they are planning for Sylvan beach?? Bad enough getting buzzed by a guy in a 300 hp bass boat or a pleasure boater, wait till you see a 2000hp jet boat coming at your favorite spot. In a lighter note, I probably will "have to" take my son out on it if he sees it out on the lake. Probably helifun stuff.

cny

[FishTank19]

They postponed taking that guys fish away and killing it. go to 9wsyr.com its on the main page

[Stuck-on-Seven]

I watched people fishing for these the other day on tv. they were in florida and catching them on topwater frogs...they hit just like a bass looked pretty fun

[IFISHY]

I've been a fish hobbiyist all my life and if that guys tank is big enough for an adult (and it is) than there is no reason to take it from him.  People that put the time and money in to raise those fish to adult dont let them go.  its the ones that dont do there research or dont care that much that do stupid stuff like that.  as for florida check out the latest in fisherman magaizine theres a whole article on the exotics in flordia and how there great sport fish.  I dont wish to see yet another new spieces in this area but i think its wrong that they would take his pet.  How many feral dogs and cats are around yet noone says they should be taken away from people. 

[GAMBELL]

That will be down right wrong if the DEC kills his pet fish 

It should be killed.  It is an exotic and does not belong here. 

[trapper2000]

 die snakehead die!!!!!! sorry i think he has to go! reason these fish are illegal is they pose a danger,the danger is to our eco system.as far as a pet sorry i can't feel that way it's a fish in a tank of water it has no emotions and it's not like you can take him out and pet him.
                                                                                                            sorry trap

[Irish Jigger]

He should be able to get a permit and keep the fish and be subject to regular inspections like others with exotic pets and be held accountable for where it ends up. He had it before the law was adopted and when it does finally die no more permit. Last season I found a dead one at ice out at Beaver Island State Park on the niagara river when I stopped into the region 9 HQ to report it no one seemed to really care. Now that they have someone to harass on the issue and possibly fine they are all over it. What happens when they decide certain dogs or cats are no longer allowed because of how they behave when neglected or cut loose by ignorant people? should they be allowed to destroy your pet? The fish may not have feelings or emotional attachments but that doesn't mean the people who raised them don't have those attachments to them, if our government agencies are so hot on preventing invasive species how did we end up with zebra mussels, gobys, and the countless others that seem to "slip" past our borders even though there are protocols to prevent it from happening.

[trapper2000]

it's fish!!!! and it's a danger. if everyone was so concerned why didn't anyone start a fund to ship him back and be released where he came from? oh well wonder how you fillet a snakehead?

[JJ]

Snake heads are illegal to possess without a permit; permits are only issued under certain conditions. NYS is not taking any chances on these fish, they pose a serious threat to fish populations, along with VHS.

§180.9 Fish Dangerous to Indigenous Fish Populations

(a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to list species of native or non-native fish that present a danger to the health or welfare of indigenous fish populations, and to the health or welfare of people of the state.

(b) Prohibitions.

(1) Except as provided in subdivisions c and d of this section, no person shall buy, sell or offer for sale, possess, transport, import or export, or cause to be transported, imported or exported live individuals or viable eggs of the following species of fish, which the Department of Environmental Conservation (department) has determined present a danger to indigenous fish populations:

(i) Silver carp (Hypophthalmicthys molitrix)

(ii) Bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)

(iii) Black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus)

(iv) Snakehead fish of the genera Channa and Parachanna (or the generic synonyms of Bostrychoides, Opicephalus, Ophiocephalus, and Parophiocephalus) of the Family Channidae, including but not limited to:

(a) Channa amphibeus (Chel or Borna snakehead)

(b) Channa argus (Northern or Amur snakehead)

(c) Channa asiatica (Chinese or Northern Green snakehead)

(d) Channa aurantimaculata

(e) Channa bankanensis (Bangka snakehead)

(f) Channa baramensis (Baram snakehead)

(g) Channa barca (barca or tiger snakehead)

(h) Channa bleheri (rainbow or jewel snakehead)

(i) Channa cyanospilos (bluespotted snakehead)

(j) Channa gachua (dwarf, gaucha, or frog snakehead)

(k) Channa harcourtbutleri (Inle snakehead)

(l) Channa lucius (shiny or splendid snakehead)

(m) Channa maculata (blotched snakehead)

(n) Channa marulius (bullseye, murrel, Indian, great, or cobra snakehead)

(o) Channa maruloides (emperor snakehead)

(p) Channa melanoptera

(q) Channa melasoma (black snakehead)

(r) Channa micropeltes (giant, red or redline snakehead)

(s) Channa nox

(t) Channa orientalis (Ceylon of Ceylonese Green snakehead)

(u) Channa panaw

(v) Channa pleurophthalmus (ocellated, spotted, or eyespot snakehead)

(w) Channa punctata (dotted or spotted snakehead)

(x) Channa stewartii (golden snakehead)

(y) Channa striata (chevron or striped snakehead)

(z) Parachanna africana (Niger or African snakehead)

(aa) Parachanna insignis (Congo, square-spotted African, or light African snakehead)

(bb) Parachanna obscura (dark African, dusky or square-spotted snakehead)

(2) No person shall liberate to the wild any species listed in this section, cause such species to be liberated to the wild or allow such species to exist in a state or condition where it is likely to escape into the wild.

(c) Exceptions. Notwithstanding the prohibitions contained in this section, Bighead carp may be sold, possessed, transported, imported and exported in the five boroughs of the City of New York (Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island) and the Westchester County Towns of Rye, Harrison, and Mamaronek and all the incorporated cities or villages located therein. Bighead carp offered for sale in any retail establishment shall be killed by the seller before the purchaser takes possession of said fish.

(d) Permits. The department may issue permits, the term of which shall not exceed one year, to possess, transport, import or export species of live fish listed in this section only for educational, exhibition or scientific purposes, as defined in section 175.2 of this chapter. Permits issued pursuant to this section may contain terms, conditions and standards designed to prevent escapement while fish species listed in the permit are held in captivity, and to ensure safe disposition of those species following expiration of the permit or cessation of the permitted activity. The permit fee shall be $500, except that the fee may be waived for bona fide employees, representatives or affiliates of accredited colleges or universities, research institutions, government agencies, or public museums or aquariums.

(e) Seizure. Environmental conservation officers, forest rangers and members of the state police may seize species of fish listed in this section that are possessed without a permit. No action for damages shall lie for such seizure, and disposition of seized animals shall be at the discretion of the department.

[trapper2000]

easy if this guy is allowed then anyone is allowed seeing snakeheads have poped up in waters around the country it's known they were released! this doesn't take a rocket scientist, as far as he was owned prior to the law  at one time  drugs weren't illegal there is no grandfathering. and this is to protect our fisheries i can't see how any sportsmen would want this fish allowed here

[JJ]

Sure whatever the DeC says is gospel right   VHS has not wiped out entire lakes of all the fish in it now has it I am sure the snakehead will spread naturally all on its own and will not wipe out entire lakes of fish either and in fact the natural waters they came from overseas have many other varities of fish in there with them so again its all a big panic about nothing so lets leave this guys pet fish alone


STS - Save the Snakehead

Unlike yourself, DEC regulations are gospel to SPORTSMEN. You apparently just want to bash DEC at every opportunity; obviously, you have some deep-rooted animosity with NY's environmental agency. Snakehead fish (there are 28 different species) would not "wipe out entire lakes of fish" where they occur and evolved naturally; it is when they are introduced to new water bodies, on a different continent no less, that they pose a problem to ecosystems. The snakehead will not spread "naturally all on its own", they will spread by MAN introducing them; that is why NY has outlawed possession of them. Also, the Fish and Wildlife Service, part of the Federal Government, has outlawed importation and interstate transportation of all 28 species of snakeheads; still think they aren't a serious threat? Try educating yourself instead of stirring the pot again. Read this: http://www.fws.gov/snakeheadfstotal.pdf

[rgfixit]

JJ You're trying to make sense to a fool.
RG

[JJ]

RG, reminds me of a good quote :

Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish.
Euripides,The Bacchae, circa 407 B.C. Greek tragic dramatist (484 BC - 406 BC)

[IcePirate]

How did you find out about the jet boat for Sylvan Beach - and for what reason  Just wonderin' !  8)

[TJC]

Snakehead have not always been banned in NY. I used to have them as a kid. Every pet store use to carry them. They have been banned for a few years. If a guy has had one prior to the ban then he should be allowed to keep it. If they are getting them illegal and letting them go then fry them and the person releasing them. What happens with these fish is that when the trade brings them in they are 2-3inches long and then they grow and fast. These people let them go into the water systems. Look at 6 mile waterworks in Albany county all those gold fish that are in that water are releases from the college when the school year ends . If somebody has a pet that is grandfathered in from when they were legal let them get a free permit and keep a file of the fish that are out there. Look at piranhas, they are illegal in NYS but you can still purchase them illegally under a different name (pachu similar cousin of the piranha).

[MeatHunter737]

How did you find out about the jet boat for Sylvan Beach - and for what reason  Just wonderin' !  8)

there was an article about it in Wednesdays Post-Standard.... even though it has twin 1000 HP motors, it'll only go 40mph...its a big boat...

[SpEeD]

Snakehead have not always been banned in NY. I used to have them as a kid. Every pet store use to carry them. They have been banned for a few years. If a guy has had one prior to the ban then he should be allowed to keep it. If they are getting them illegal and letting them go then fry them and the person releasing them. What happens with these fish is that when the trade brings them in they are 2-3inches long and then they grow and fast. These people let them go into the water systems. Look at 6 mile waterworks in Albany county all those gold fish that are in that water are releases from the college when the school year ends . If somebody has a pet that is grandfathered in from when they were legal let them get a free permit and keep a file of the fish that are out there. Look at piranhas, they are illegal in NYS but you can still purchase them illegally under a different name (pachu similar cousin of the piranha).

I agree 100% with what your saying and as long as the guys pet fish stays in the tank I don't see what the big deal is 


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[IFISHY]

look the logic all around is flawed the dec is well intentioned but poorly funded they cant regulat them as pets so they ban them.  second of all most of the regs were brought in after populations were established.  (see florida)  I do not want the snakehead to gain entrance into the great lakes but one it has already happened. (see niagra river).  and two how the hell is it gonna get from the tank to the water without help they cant walk thats just a myth.  if this guy has to kill his snakehead than the law would have to extend to all pet fish not naturally occuring in the local waters.  How many of you have fish tanks with only localy caught fish in them and no exotics?  Scare tactics have been used with this fish and not proper education.  In the potomic where they were relesed by black maket fish markets not pet owners they havent been nearly as prolific or damaging as the media makes them out to be not to say that over the next 10 years they wont be.  Its also important to note that the vast majority of game fish that we fish for are not native. do you think pike were always on multiple continents.  (look it up).  same with salmon and some trout.  used to be lakers were the top predator period.  and carp as well should all pond owners have to kill there koi. good luck getting that passed.  Use your head think clearly it would take an officer about 5 mins to check this guys house and see if he has the space to keep this thing if he does let him keep it.

[trapper2000]

so if i owned drugs before they became illegal i should get to keep them??? i don't think when something is considerd a enoviromental hazard there going to grandfather it! lolllllllll

[jonesfish]

I feel that the DEC treats the snakehead the same as cronic wasting disease in the deer. Believe me they are not going to spend taxpayers money just because they "don't like " a certain type of fish. They are not native to our area and they pose a serious threat to all of our other fish ,so as ugly as it may seem they need to be totally eradicated. Also I think Dec had a problem with them downstate and were forced to kill all the fish in the area as a precaution. I think that I saw it on their website. Anyway what if this guy ever decided he was going to let it go. The closest place would be where? ONEIDA LAKE.
What's next, it's ok if I got a pet tiger in my house, he won't hurt anybody, and I promise I won't let him out. Let DEC kill the fish ,give the guy a warning,and let's talk about fishing!

[MeatHunter737]

wonder what snakehead tastes like??? That fish that made the news is a slob

[IFISHY]

i hate to say it but if there in the niagra than there in ontario and if there in ontario there gonna get into everywhare attached to the canal system that includes onieda.  its believed that thats one of the main routes that vhs got around through wheater you know it or not that has been tested for and discovered in all waters of the canal system including seneca cayuga and onieds as well as others though in many cases it hasnt been officially listed as infected waters.  Again many of the regs are written because the dec doesnt have the funding to properly legislate enforce or even manage most of the state. 

[JJ]

What's next, it's ok if I got a pet tiger in my house, he won't hurt anybody, and I promise I won't let him out.

How about a pet chimpanzee.

[TJC]

Good point JJ. People have more harmful animals than a snakehead. Tigers,lions,bears o my. Look at what that chimp did. There are more exotic animals than you realize. Ferrets, snakes and other non native animals and fish. Ferrets need a permit to have and you don't see them running all over the place. Skunks supposedly are good pets once they are destinkified but you can't keep them anymore in NY. Lets see isn't  a skunk native to NY. Maybe it's something to do with disease but how many disease run through animals naturally. I would rather see a pet skunk escape into the wild than a pet boa or "mountain lion". If you have to spend the money for enforcing getting rid of animals what's the difference to spend the money to regulate the pets. I had pet snakeheads years ago when I was a kid and you didn't hear all about them getting lose in the wild. For about six bucks you could buy a2-3 inch snakehead. I use to keep them with Oscars(which are also lose in Floridas waterway).

[DasRottweiler]

This is akin to many exotics-land and sea. My dawg is from Belgium (an exotic?) and is unnecessarily feared by locals because of his breed and size. I have raised dawgs with good temperment all my life starting as a teen with my family breeding AKC show Boxers. Almost all dawgs ( and fish for that matter ) are not or were not indigenous to this country. Almost all are imports and crossbreeds of imports. I owned a snakehead till his death at 18" (coins fell in tank- fish buried them and subsequentely died of metal poisoning) Was legal , just as legal as African Chiclids like the Oscar. The powers that be are wasting time/effort here. Just as a previous poster noted, In-Fisherman has an entire articale devoted to exotics in Fla. It is unfortunate but human nature is what it is. I`m bored with it , chuck it in the pond/river. Had my neighbors move ,left all thier cats (3) to urinate under my farmers porch and fend for themselves. Noone came running to ticket them or better yet take away their NEW cats at their new residence. Blame the masses , not the fish enthusiast with his tank at home.  Oh, and try and take my dawg away from me because someone else`s of the same breed is aggressive and labeled dangerous, and see what transpires. You won`t have to worry bout the animal, it`s the pistol grip shotgun that`ll leave holes in ya. Ask the neighbors cats...

[howesfc]

Send it to a Chinese restaurant they will take care of it.

[Raquettedacker]

 I seen a 5 acre trout pond killed off by DEC because some one dumped there GOLD FISH in it and they multiplied like crazy..

[jonesfish]

If anyone wants to know more about the "poor harmless snakehead" go to the DEC website and learn more about them.When your done with that try looking up the round goby. INVASIVE SPECIES + NEW YORK = BIG PROBLEM FOR SPORTSMAN (that means us)

[TJC]

Nobody said poor harmless snake head. There are just a ton of invasive animals brought in all the time. There should be better regulation on incoming products like flowers and trees(asian boring bettle, japanese bettles). And we should regulate better on animals being brought into the USA also.

[trapper2000]

i think snakehead is now in the great pond in the sky.... i have to be honest i lost no sleep over it,first it was a threat! no one could say  he would not be released! second it was only a fish!!!! the guy that owned him  is having him stuffed and put on the wall.... give me a break .... i didn't see any animal actvist try to safe him or ship him back where he was native i guess they didn't loss any sleep either ....... fish fry in cicero just in time for lent