Pinnacles National Monument 1998-1999 Exotic Fish Removal Summary Report
Johnson PG. 1999. Pinnacles National Monument 1998-1999 Exotic Fish Removal Summary Report
In summer 1998, thousands of green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) were observed in Chalone Creek at Pinnacles National Monument (PINN). These aggressive predatory exotic fish are considered a serious threat to our native stream ecosystem, particularly to our populations of federally threatened California red-legged frogs (CRLF) (Rana aurora draytonii). Streams were electroshocked in 1998 and 1999, and all known green sunfish within PINN were eradicated. Hundreds of exotic mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) were also observed, but not targeted for removal. Mosquitofish remain a threat to our stream ecosystem. Long-term protection of our stream ecosystem from exotic fish infiltration will require identification and isolation or removal of source populations outside PINN.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Johnson, Paul
- Date of Issue
- 1999-12
- Units
- PINN
- Keywords
- Chalone Creek, exotic fish, Exotic species, fish
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Invasive Species | Invasive/Exotic animals , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Fishes