2 Asian carp found in ponds near Toronto waterfront

[MuskieBait]

I take a very wide view of ecology. I view humans as part of nature, not separated from nature. I view that, unless we stock plants and animals with an intent to propagate them in new habitats, any unintentional spread of species by our action is part of nature.

If a bird carries a fish egg from one location to another via the egg hitchhiking on the bird's body, we call that as natural spread. We do not term this as an invasion.

If a human carries a fish egg from one location to another via the egg hitchhiking on the side of the boat, we call that as anthropological spread. We term this as an invasion.

In either case, there is no intent to spread the species by the bird or the human. The introduced organism is a hitchhiker.

In parallel argument, if a Round Goby hitchhike, however impossible it may seem in the hollow of a log that drifted from the Black Sea to the St. Lawrence River, we call this as natural spread.

But if a Round Goby hitchhike in the ballast water of a transoceanic transport ship that transit between the Black Sea to the St. Lawrence River, then we call this as an invasion.

In either case, the Round Goby is a hitchhiker. There was no intent.

The truly inexcusable acts are our continued introduction of species into non-native habitat in the name of "providing additional recreational fishing opportunities". This is a selfish and ignorant act that gives zero regard to native species and ecosystems. While the US and Canada continued to prosecute invaders, the same agencies are continuing to spread non-native species based on their recreational fishing value and desirability. This is simply sickening and ill-conceived.