Lessons learned from the use of rotenone to eradicate feral fish in two irrigation lakes in Western Australia

Graham G. Thompson; Scott A. Thompson

doi:10.1111/emr.12561

Lessons learned from the use of rotenone to eradicate feral fish in two irrigation lakes in Western Australia

Graham G. Thompson, Scott A. Thompson

School of Biological Sciences

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

An eradication program using rotenone was implemented primarily targeting a localised population of the feral Pearl Cichlid (Geophagus brasiliensis), and as a secondary objective to also remove the widespread Eastern Gambusia (Gambusia holbrooki) in two artificial lakes used for irrigation purposes in Byford, Western Australia (WA). Rotenone, applied at the approved rate (i.e. 0.25 ppm), failed to eradicate all Eastern Gambusia, and possibly all of the Pearl Cichlids in the first attempt, but at a higher dose rate (i.e. 1 ppm) it eradicated both species on the second attempt. We attributed the initial failure partially to the low dose rate of rotenone approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). Pearl Cichlids are present in multiple public ponds and lakes, and waterways in the greater Perth metropolitan area (www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-27/feral-fish-overtake-wa-native-species/4096580), and needs to be more aggressively managed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	158-165
Number of pages	8
Journal	Ecological Management and Restoration
Volume	23
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/emr.12561
Publication status	Published - May 2022

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title = "Lessons learned from the use of rotenone to eradicate feral fish in two irrigation lakes in Western Australia",

abstract = "An eradication program using rotenone was implemented primarily targeting a localised population of the feral Pearl Cichlid (Geophagus brasiliensis), and as a secondary objective to also remove the widespread Eastern Gambusia (Gambusia holbrooki) in two artificial lakes used for irrigation purposes in Byford, Western Australia (WA). Rotenone, applied at the approved rate (i.e. 0.25 ppm), failed to eradicate all Eastern Gambusia, and possibly all of the Pearl Cichlids in the first attempt, but at a higher dose rate (i.e. 1 ppm) it eradicated both species on the second attempt. We attributed the initial failure partially to the low dose rate of rotenone approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). Pearl Cichlids are present in multiple public ponds and lakes, and waterways in the greater Perth metropolitan area (www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-27/feral-fish-overtake-wa-native-species/4096580), and needs to be more aggressively managed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).",

keywords = "APVMA, Gambusia holbrooki, Geophagus brasiliensis, pest",

author = "Thompson, {Graham G.} and Thompson, {Scott A.}",

note = "Funding Information: Research projects using fish undertaken in Western Australia by environmental consultants did not require approval of an animal ethics committee in 2018–2021. The authors thank Margot Oorebeek, Ray Turnbull, Lyndon Smith, Willian Parkinson, Daniel Adams and Georgia Ford for assisting with this program. The authors, as partners in the environmental consulting firm that undertook this program, were paid by LWP Property Group to implement the feral fish eradication program. We acknowledge Indigenous Australians as the Traditional Custodians of Country and recognise their continuing connection to land, water, sea, culture and community. We pay our respects to their Ancestors, Elders and future leaders. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 Ecological Society of Australia and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.",

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N2 - An eradication program using rotenone was implemented primarily targeting a localised population of the feral Pearl Cichlid (Geophagus brasiliensis), and as a secondary objective to also remove the widespread Eastern Gambusia (Gambusia holbrooki) in two artificial lakes used for irrigation purposes in Byford, Western Australia (WA). Rotenone, applied at the approved rate (i.e. 0.25 ppm), failed to eradicate all Eastern Gambusia, and possibly all of the Pearl Cichlids in the first attempt, but at a higher dose rate (i.e. 1 ppm) it eradicated both species on the second attempt. We attributed the initial failure partially to the low dose rate of rotenone approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). Pearl Cichlids are present in multiple public ponds and lakes, and waterways in the greater Perth metropolitan area (www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-27/feral-fish-overtake-wa-native-species/4096580), and needs to be more aggressively managed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).

AB - An eradication program using rotenone was implemented primarily targeting a localised population of the feral Pearl Cichlid (Geophagus brasiliensis), and as a secondary objective to also remove the widespread Eastern Gambusia (Gambusia holbrooki) in two artificial lakes used for irrigation purposes in Byford, Western Australia (WA). Rotenone, applied at the approved rate (i.e. 0.25 ppm), failed to eradicate all Eastern Gambusia, and possibly all of the Pearl Cichlids in the first attempt, but at a higher dose rate (i.e. 1 ppm) it eradicated both species on the second attempt. We attributed the initial failure partially to the low dose rate of rotenone approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). Pearl Cichlids are present in multiple public ponds and lakes, and waterways in the greater Perth metropolitan area (www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-27/feral-fish-overtake-wa-native-species/4096580), and needs to be more aggressively managed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).

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Lessons learned from the use of rotenone to eradicate feral fish in two irrigation lakes in Western Australia

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