People fed up with their aquarium or backyard pond are warned not to dump the contents into waterways which could threaten the environment and the State’s agricultural industries.
Department of Fisheries biosecurity team Leader Victoria Aitken said exotic pest species could devastate aquatic ecosystems and once established were very difficult to eradicate.
Eradicating water weeds and other pests also cost the State and local governments thousands of dollars each year.
The Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) works closely with other State departments and local government in the metropolitan and regional areas to coordinate the removal of dumped aquatic weeds.
The department recently worked with local councils to remove the devastating weed salvinia from ponds in Melville and High Wycombe, and water hyacinth is currently being cleared from drains in Serpentine-Jarrahdale and Baldivis.
The Department of Fisheries was called on to remove diseased catfish from the Melville pond. The pest fish and the bacterial disease they carried posed a serious risk to native aquatic life.
“Eradicating weeds and pests is a major expense in time and money which could extend over many years,” DAFWA invasive species manager Viv Read said.
“Many water weeds spread quickly and easily, forming mats across ponds and drains, robbing native flora of vital oxygen to survive and trapping native fauna,” Mr Read said.
“In some cases, weed seeds can lay dormant for years and cause ongoing control problems. A drain near Baldivis will have to be closely monitored for years now, as the water hyacinth plants have flowered and its seeds can lay dormant for 20 years.”
Often people are unaware that releasing unwanted pet fish into nearby water bodies can form self-sustaining populations that have the potential to wipe out native species.
If fish owners no longer want their fish, they are encouraged to give them to other responsible fish owners or seek advice from their local pet shop.
The Department of Fisheries Don’t dump that fish brochure has more advice on managing unwanted pet fish, available on its website fish.wa.gov.au/biosecurity.
For more information about disposing of water weeds contact DAFWA’s Pest and Disease Information Service on freecall 1800 084 881 or email info@agric.wa.gov.au
Media contact: Lisa Bertram, media liaison +61 (0)8 9368 3937