Can Hydraulic Barriers Stop the Spread of the Round Goby

摘要

The round goby, Neogobius melanostomus, a native of Eurasia, is spreading throughout the waters of North America. Native to the Black Sea and Caspian Sea systems, the round goby appeared in the St. Clair River, ONT-MI in 1990, and subsequently in the Great Lakes during 1993-1996 (Charlebois et al. 1997). Particular concern exists for the population in southern Lake Michigan and the Calumet River, which is spreading west via the Cal-Sag Channel towards the Des Plaines River (Moy 1997). Penetration by the round goby into the Mississippi River system, or any large river system, would allow virtually unlimited spread throughout large geographic areas. Its high rate of dispersal (e.g., all five Great Lakes in only 5 years) is particular cause for concern (Jude 1997). This benthic species, although small, is highly aggressive toward native fishes, especially the moffled sculpin (Cottus bairdi), which is unable to effectively defend the cavities it normally inhabits from gobies (Dubs and Corkum 1996). The round goby is also aggressive towards larger, pelagic species such as rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris) and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) (Wickett and Corkum 1998), as well as smaller, benthic species like darters, Etheostoma spp. (Jude 1997). Containment of the round goby has been identified as a priority by several agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The round goby could be contained by use of ichthyocides, electricity, or by hydraulics. The last of these is environmentally benign and safe, but efficacy is unknown.