Hawaii residents are urged to use the Pest Hotline to promptly report sightings of invasive pests such as snakes, unusually aggressive stinging ants, and illegal or unknown animals. Call 643-PEST (643-7378)
At least two dozen fish and invertebrate species imported through the aquarium
fish trade have become established in Hawaiian freshwater streams and reservoirs after
escape (release) from confinement. These have disrupted both stream and reservoir
ecosystems, have severely impaired recreational fisheries, and have contributed to
declines in endemic stream species populations. Parasites introduced with and
maintained by these escapees are seriously impacting native stream fishes.
The rate of introductions has been effectively slowed during the 1990s through an
extensive public education campaign warning against the release of aquarium fish into
the wild including television advertising, poster distribution, and public school
presentations; a cooperative arrangement with pet shops and the Humane Society to
accept unwanted pet fish; and legislation that prohibits the release of alien fish in State
waters. Measures need to be taken to halt spread of non-natives to the neighbor islands,
to curb further unplanned introductions to all Hawaiian waters, and to effect eradication
where possible, although by the time a new species is recognized, it is usually already too
well established for eradication and has become a permanent addition to the Hawaiian
biota, with probable harmful consequences for the native species. Public education in the
prevention of alien introductions needs to continue.
