More than 1,700 invasive goldfish have been removed from a Campbell River stormwater-collection pond.
It took two weeks to remove 1,746 goldfish from Erickson Pond, a process that required draining the pond and relocating salamanders and newts while the goldfish were collected.
The City of Campbell River worked with an independent environmental contractor to complete the project, which needed extensive permitting. It says more work will likely be needed to ensure the goldfish have been eradicated.
The city began getting reports of goldfish in the Erickson Pond last year. The invasive species is problematic because it can compete for food with native species and carry parasites and diseases that affect other fish — including salmon.
Goldfish also have a high reproductive rate and can release 50,000 eggs at a time up to three times a summer. They’re considered one of the most widespread invasive fish in North America by the Invasive Species Council of B.C.
Removal work finished Saturday, and trails in the area that had closed for safety reasons during the operation have now reopened.
Steve Roehr, Campbell River’s operations manager for utilities, said the number and size of the goldfish that had to be removed shows why the species is such a challenge when released to nature. “They multiply quickly and grow to be big — and that edges out native species.”
He said he has heard that goldfish can grow as big as footballs.
Goldfish end up in waterways when people wanting to get rid of them flush them down the toilet, instead of composting them or putting them in the garbage as experts advise.
The pond is located in a residential area off Erickson Road and collects rainwater that is screened before being released into the Willow Creek watershed.
The city encouraged residents to check on how to dispose of invasive species — both animals and plants — on the city’s website at campbellriver.ca.
