Invasive Species of Fish Could Mean Payday for Grand Canyon Fisherman

Invasive species in a place like the Grand Canyon, where keeping the sanctity of the
natural wildlife is paramount. While having invasive species, especially fish, might
sound like a pleasing abundance, it is really a threat to the entire ecosystem.

Yes, an invasive fish species does promise fisherman and women a great day out on
the Grand Canyon. However, happy fishermen, especially for this specific reason, is not
worth the danger it poses.

Basically, the more invasive fish there are, means the food source for those and other
animals is insufficient. If the invasive species of fish are more adept at getting food,
which makes sense because of their increased numbers, it means that other animals
are not getting food. If this pattern continues, it could mean that other species, with
fewer numbers, could become endangered, or even extinct.

Therefore, the National Park Service must focus on keeping these invasive species
under control. Unfortunately, that can be much more difficult than one might think. After
trying an array of different tactics, the officials at the park service are fishing for a new
way to control the invasive population: by encouraging fishermen and women to even
out the scales.
The National Park Service announced that it is now going to pay Grand Canyon anglers
to control the brown trout infestation. Currently of all the different invasive species fish,
the brown trout is the most egregious offender. The reason is that brown trout do not
simply syphon food and other resources off other fish, they eat other fish. Furthermore,
this specific invasive species has a pallet for the Grand Canyon’s endangered native
species, the humpback chub. While the officials at the Grand Canyon try to leave
nature’s course alone, they also try to protect native wildlife.

To fish for this invasive species, fishermen and women are already required to have a
fishing license. Many anglers already have a license so that they can fish for sport.

Although, this new plan certainly adds to the incentive. This payment process is based
off the already implemented catch and release program. When the brown trout is
caught, though, the National Park Service is asking people to release them somewhere
outside the park and they will be paid for providing the service.

Additionally, the National Park Service released a statement that explained tribal youth
from the eleven tribes with cultural and historic ties to the Grand Canyon will be offered
the chance to take part in guided fishing trips to Lees Ferry Reach. This is the area
where the incentives for all anglers will be offered.