WSB provides services that specialize in preventing the spread of invasive fish species and managing or removing populations that are already established. We have worked on several projects across the United States, and we were recently awarded a contract from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in Eastern North Carolina. We are contracted to remove 1 million pounds of common carp from Lake Mattamuskeet to improve water quality and waterfowl habitat within the refuge system.
Invasive common carp negatively impact water quality through bioturbation and other processes, while muddying waters and uprooting aquatic plants, they block sunlight necessary for aquatic plants to grow. By removing these invasive species, water quality and the aquatic habitat will improve and provide environments suitable for native species.
Multiple gear types and techniques are being used for fish capture and adaptive removal approaches based on changing fish behavior and environmental conditions. The primary gear types used for carp removal are large seine nets and baited box nets with pulsed DC electrofishing and gill nets used to a lesser extent. These gears are augmented using the Modified Unified Method (MUM) and baiting. WSB has further developed these removal techniques, while tracking removal totals, leading box and gill netting operations, aggregating all datasets for reporting, coordinating logistics with FisH20 and leading radio/acoustic implants. FisH20 was previously a WSB subsidiary that is now an independent private company providing fish logistics to live fish markets and fresh markets in the Great Lakes and Eastern U.S. Coast. The partnership between WSB and FisH20, along with other industry leading subcontractors,
provides the most experienced, knowledgeable and equipped team within the U.S. to provide this type of service.