State Takes Steps To Ban Snakehead Fish

October 15, 2004

Release from: Algis J. Laukaitis
Lincoln Journal Star

The state wants to ban snakeheads — a carnivorous fish that is alien to Nebraska, eats anything in its way and can wiggle across land to find a better lake, stream or pond.

The state is attempting to ban snakehead fish. (Courtesy photo)

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission also wants people with snakeheads to surrender the fish for a price before Jan. 1, 2006.

The regulations, approved Thursday by the commission, must be signed by the governor and attorney general before taking effect.

"We don't think we have a big problem with snakeheads in Nebraska," Don Gabelhouse, administrator of the fisheries division, told the commission during a hearing.

The ban makes it illegal for anyone to buy, sell, trade, barter or possess any live specimen of the family Channidae (snakeheads.) Someone with a snakehead would be subject to a $75 fine plus court costs, said Ted Blume, administrator of law enforcement for the commission.

An exception. A person could own one until Jan. 1, 2006, if he or she has a scientific collectors permit.

Gabelhouse said the commission sought the buyback program because it does not want to cause economic hardship on pet shops or people who own snakeheads.

The commission took the action to reduce the risk of snakeheads being released intentionally or accidentally into state waters.

None has been found in state lakes or rivers so far, Gabelhouse said in an interview. Found in Africa and Asia, snakeheads eat other fish and compete with native fish for food.

Since October 2002, it has been illegal to import live snakeheads or transport them across state lines.

Thirty-eight states have made it illegal to possess and sell live snakeheads.

Snakeheads get their name because of their elongated bodies and large, snakelike scales on their heads. Only one of the 28 species can survive under winter ice.

That particular species, Channidae argus, has already been found in the Potomac River, which borders West Virginia and Maryland and Virginia and Maryland. A year ago, a snakehead was found in southern Wisconsin's Rock River. A snakehead was caught this week by a fisherman in the Chicago area.

Although pet shops in the state used to sell snakeheads, a state check of 84 pet shops and 17 live fish markets found none.

"We haven't seen any in five or six years," said Mark Haeffner, owner of The Fish Store at 921 N. 48th St. He said snakeheads used to be popular, especially with people who like to feed them little fish.

So, if the state does find snakeheads, what will it do?

"Euthanize them as humanely as possible," Gabelhouse said.