http://floridakiss.com/

http://floridakiss.com/

JF Griffin - Index

JF Griffin - magazine - Index

Butterfly Peacock
— Breaking with Tradition
By FWC Biologist, Paul Shafland
In 1984, FWC staff released the first
butterfly peacock into the coastal
canals of Southeast Florida in a bold
effort to help control undesirable
exotic fishes and to create an exciting
urban canal sportfishery in this
densely populated area. The butterfly
peacock is the first and only exotic
fish ever introduced by FWC that was
intended to establish permanent and
self-perpetuating populations, but
this introduction occurred only after
carefully evaluating this species and
the fish communities into which it
was introduced. This research clearly
indicated butterfly peacock would
thrive and have desirable effects
in these highly altered, man-made
canals, yet not establish permanent
populations outside of canals in
Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm
Beach counties. And now, nearly a
quarter of a century later, the success
of the butterfly peacock introduction
has proven to exceed even the most
optimistic of predictions made prior to
its release.
Not only has the butterfly peacock
helped reduce the abundance of
some undesirable exotic fishes,
but also it has had no detrimental
effects on native fish populations.
At the same time, it has generated
millions of hours of fishing pleasure
for thousands of urban anglers who
spend nearly $10 million annually
just to catch this fish. Thousands of
articles in magazines and TV shows
have featured this fishery, helping
to renew interest in inner-city fishing
opportunities that encourage young
people to learn conservation ethics
and partake in healthy outdoor
recreational activities.
This is an incredible success story
especially given that many professional
biologists and ecologists had long
dismissed these canal fish communities
as being “biological cesspools of
introduced life.” Nonetheless, the
history of unauthorized exotic species
introductions is replete with bad
experiences; and for this reason, it is
not only unwise, it is illegal for anyone to
transfer or release any exotic species in
Florida without a special FWC permit …
and this includes catching and releasing
butterfly peacock into waters where they
don’t already exist.
Ch� se
Kissimmee
a great fishing destination.
Choose Kissimmee for an exceptional Central Florida vacation.
FloridaKiss.com - 800.333.KISS
© 2008 Kissimmee Convention and Visitors Bureau
KSCM0884_FloridaFishingRegulations08_2A.indd 1 4/28/08 2:00:01 PM