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FWC takes steps to combat invasive species

FWC takes steps to combat invasive species

By Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Native fish and wildlife facing serious threat posed by a variety of invasive species found throughout the state, may have life easier in the future.

As of Sept. 27, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved the reorganization of rules related to nonnative species. The Commission is taking steps to combat the introduction and spread of nonnative animals.

The Commission asked FWC Executive Director Eric Sutton and Vice Chairman Robert Spottswood to develop a temporary executive order to limit importation of potentially high-risk injurious species. This will act as a stopgap measure while staff develop proposed rules.

Invasive species are animals not native to Florida that cause economic or environmental harm or pose a threat to human safety.

More than 500 nonnative species have been reported in Florida. Eighty percent of these have been introduced via the live animal trade with over 120 established in Florida, meaning they are reproducing in the wild.

“It costs much less to prevent a species from becoming established than it does to control them once they are here,” said Commissioner Joshua Kellam. “What we need to do as a Commission is focus on prevention early on to stop the next wave of invasive species.”

Invasive species are not a problem unique to Florida, but the state’s subtropical climate allows a variety of species, such as pythons, Argentine black and white tegus, green iguanas, monitor lizards and many invasive freshwater fish species, to thrive.

Most nonnative fish and wildlife find their way into Florida's habitats through escape or release from the live animal trade. Regulation is viewed as an essential component to prevent nonnative species from taking hold in Florida’s environment.

The public can help control nonnative invasive wildlife by reporting sightings to the FWC’s Exotic Species Hotline at (888)483-4681, by using the free smartphone app IVEGOT, or online.

The FWC also encourages the public to safely remove nonnative invasive species from the wild when possible.
Nonnative species are not protected, except by anti-cruelty law, and can be humanely killed on private lands at any time with landowner permission; no permit is required.

People may also lethally remove nonnative reptiles from 22 FWC-managed public lands without a license or permit. For more information about nonnative species in Florida, visit http://myfwc.com/Nonnatives.

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