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"Biologists 'electro-fish' to remove flatheads
from Satilla" Savannah Morning News, Sunday, June 23, 2002
The Associated Press
WOODBINE, Ga. -- The number of flathead catfish in southeast Georgia's
Satilla River has been dwindling due to state efforts to fight back
against the invasive Western fish.
Using a technique called electro-fishing, the Department of Natural
Resources fisheries office in Waycross has been floating down a
section of the Satilla, shocking and removing the flatheads.
The battery charge is set at a voltage low enough to briefly stun only
catfish. The flatheads are netted and the other species are set free.
The work takes quick reflexes because fish make a speedy recovery from
the shock and usually don't respond to a second jolt.
Flatheads are more susceptible to the shock and recover more slowly
than other fish. Once in the boat, their mottled yellow, brown and
black coloring makes them easy to pick out.
Flatheads have been illegally introduced into Georgia's rivers, and
have eaten away at native species, such as the redbreast sunfish and
bullhead catfish.
"I say get rid of them if you can get rid of them," said
James Gay, a fisherman from Waynesville. "This is one of the
purest rivers in Georgia. It ought to stay a redbreast and copperhead
bream river."
State biologist Don Harrison said the Satilla's flathead population
seems to be shrinking -- in numbers and in size, based on levels from
last year's electro-fishing in the same 60-mile stretch of river.
This year, the biologists caught five fish an hour, compared to nine
an hour last year.
"We like to see that," Harrison said.
At one time the state had hopes of removing flatheads from all rivers
in southeast Georgia, but it has virtually given up on all but the
Satilla. The state tried to reduce flathead numbers in the Altamaha
River and its tributaries, but has abandoned the effort.
The department will continue the removal program on the Satilla, and
officials say the program seems to be working for now.
"We're optimistic. Let's put it that way," Harrison said.
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Department of Natural Resources employee
Justin Blythwood shows off the catch of the morning, a
flathead catfish weighing more than 10 pounds near Woodbine,
Ga.
--AP Photo
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