City Of Campbell River Launching 'Not For The Wild' Campaign

The City of Campbell River Has discovered invasive goldfish in the Erickson Stormwater Pond and is actively planning for their removal.

To share key information and remind people about the negative impacts of introduced invasive species, the City is launching a ‘Not for the Wild’ educational campaign.

The Erickson Stormwater Pond is located in a residential area off Erickson Road and is intended to collect rainwater during high inflows to regulate its re-entry into the environment.

The pond is connected to the Willow Creek Watershed, which means any impacts to the pond also impact the watershed.

Last year, the City received reports of goldfish in the pond and a survey found a few dozen of these invasive fish.

This is concerning, due to their resiliency in various conditions, high reproductive rate, and ability to spread.

Additionally, management of invasive plants, like yellow irises, is an ongoing effort around the pond. Both of these invasive species have been introduced by people and pose a threat to native species.

The City says that while goldfish may seem like harmless house pets, in a pond setting they can grow to the size of a football and damage natural ecosystems.

Meanwhile, irises rapidly form dense cover, blocking native plants from growing, and spread thick roots underground that can be very difficult to remove.

The City is currently working with provincial and federal authorities to develop a plan for the removal of the goldfish.

This will involve preliminary work in May, including vegetation removal, sediment assessment and sump pump installation.

This work will be followed by fish removal in summer, during the dry period.

Steve Roehr, Operations Manager, Utilities at the City of Campbell River, says goldfish should never be disposed of in natural environments, and they want to help the public understand why, so that crews can maintain healthy ecosystems in the community now and in the future.

Read the news release at City of Campbell River.

Or visit Invasive Species to learn more.