Efficacy of Mechanical Removal of Green Sunfish from Bonita and Aravaipa Creeks
Channel: Conservation and Adaptation Resources Toolbox
Date: 2020-05-19

Aravaipa and Bonita Creeks in southern Arizona are unique aquatic systems that still support intact or nearly intact native fish assemblages. However, both have been invaded by several non-native fish species that have established self-sustaining populations, including Green Sunfish, which are highly piscivorous, widely abundant, and deemed by fish biologists as the most significant non-native aquatic species threat to native fishes in these creeks. Biologists have conducted long-term monitoring and mechanical removal of Green Sunfish to conserve Aravaipa and Bonita Creek's unique native fish assemblages. With intensive effort and using a variety of techniques, biologists have successfully removed Green Sunfish from both Bonita Creek and Horse Camp Canyon, a tributary and source site to Aravaipa Creek. This webinar will share project highlights as well as key lessons learned for CCAST viewers who are interested in non-native fish control and native species conservation.

Presented by Heidi Blasius, Bureau of Land Management, Safford, Arizona Field Office