Indiana habitats hurt by aquarium dumping

At semester’s end, some students must part ways with their aquatic pets. For those who can’t bear to flush their underwater friends down the toilet, the choice to dump their aquariums in local bodies of water seems like a better option.\nBut invasive plant and animal species in local waterways have the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department on the offensive. Last spring, they launched the “Got Aquarium?” awareness campaign to discourage locals from dumping their aquariums into natural habitats. \n“The conventional wisdom is that many of these species have come from aquariums,” said Steve Cotter, natural resources manager for the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department. “We’ve seen small colored gravel piles on the shores of some of our lakes and ponds,” \nMore than 30 non-native animals have been found in local waters, said Sarah DeLone, Monroe County Humane Association education program director. \nThe majority of non-native species die quickly in new habitats, but those that survive are particularly strong, she said. \n“They are out-competing some types of fish and plants and taking over habitats,” she said. \nRecently, a 14-inch pacu, a relative of the piranha, was found in Griffy Lake, DeLone said. \nBut the biggest infestation has been the growth of Brazilian elodea in Griffy Lake, she said.\nStudents are also discouraged from dumping their aquariums down any drains or waterways, said Kriste Lindberg, education specialist for Bloomington Parks and Recreation. Sometimes fish and plants can begin living in the sewer system, she said. \nThe “Got Aquarium?” campaign is starting a new push in the next few weeks because the majority of IU students will be leaving soon and might want to dispose of their aquariums improperly, Cotter said. \nLindberg said she and others will be hanging posters around town to alert the public of the problem.\n“It’s much more cost effective to do this campaign than have to clean up afterwards,” she said. “It’s a proactive approach.” \nBut not all promotional activities have been so conventional, Lindberg said. \n“In the Fourth of July parade we had someone dress up like an invasive water plant and walk down the street holding a sign that said ‘Please don’t dump me,’” she said. \nCotter said the parks department is working with the local animal shelter to take in fish and other water-dwelling animals and then offer them for adoption. \n“We want to get those animals into the hands of caring owners,” he said. \nThe Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the parks department has been promoting a ban on the sale of certain species of plants and aquatic animals that are invading in local habitats, Cotter said. \nBut many of the species are available online and could be brought into the state easily, he said. \nDeLone said the campaign tries to solve an important problem that might otherwise fly under the radar. \n“The more awareness we create, the less problems we will have,” Lindberg said. “It’s a win-win situation for plants, people and fish.” \nFor more information on how to dispose of unwanted aquatic species, students are asked to contact the Monroe County Humane Society at 349-3492.