Giant Snail Is Yet Another Invader That Threatens Florida

If you live in a stucco house in south Florida, good luck. You’re going to need it.

As if Burmese pythons moving out of the Everglades weren’t enough to worry about, an explosion of African land snails is occurring. Growing to the size of a rat, these exotic mollusks will chew up stucco and plaster for the calcium that they contain, as well as devour plants --- lots and lots of plants.

Scientists estimate that they will feed on more than 500 species. In other words, just about anything that's green, and that could have catastrophic consequences for Florida agriculture and horticulture. And, oh yeah, they also carry a parasite that can cause illness in humans.

Reuters says this about the snails:

“ In some Caribbean countries, such as Barbados, which are overrun with the creatures, the snails' shells blow out tires on the highway and turn into hurling projectiles from lawnmower blades, while their slime and excrement coat walls and pavement.”

To watch a video about this invader, go here.

Anglers 'Connect' with Burmese Python

If you fish long enough, you’re going to catch something besides a fish. I guarantee it.

I first realized that when I was a kid and an owl grabbed my Jitterbug. Fortunately, separating bird from bait proved harmless--- but not easy---  for both of us.

The same was true when I snagged an alligator with a crankbait on Lake Okeechobee and when a seal decided to eat the striper that I had hooked on a jig up in Maine.

I’ve tangled with a few turtles as well, both snappers and soft shells.

But I’ve never hooked a snake, much less one that’s almost as long as my boat. That’s exactly what happened recently when Joe Holland and Brett Darmody were fishing a tournament in the Everglades.

One of the trebles on Holland’s crankbait snagged the back of a Burmese python, an invasive species that is gobbling up native wildlife and reproducing at an alarming rate.

Go here to find out what happened.

Anti-Fishing NPS Sets Sights on Everglades National Park

If you don’t know that the National Park Service (NPS) is no friend to fishermen, you haven’t been paying attention.  Check out the links at the bottom of this article to learn what the anti-angling bureaucrats have been doing in regard to access to public lands and waters.

Now, the NPS is considering changes to management of boating in the back country of Everglades National Park. You can bet that those who want to reduce access will be working their hardest to make it so, both inside the agency and out.

That’s why it’s vital for anglers to make their voices heard.

Here’s a media alert from BoatUS about how to get involved:

WHAT: The National Park Service (NPS) is considering changes to how boating in the back country of the Everglades National Park is managed, including significantly expanding Pole/Troll zones where only electric trolling motors and push poles would be permitted for use. Also under consideration are special boater education permit requirements beyond what is required by the state of Florida. To learn more about and comment on the plan please visit: 

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectID=11170

NPS is holding a series of public meetings on the proposed changes.  If access to this part of the Florida Bay Back Country is a part of your boating and fishing, we urge you to attend one of these meetings to learn more and voice your concerns.

WHEN: Here are the meeting dates:

Thursday, March 21, 5:30 PM: Everglades City School, 415 School Drive, Everglades City, Florida

Monday, April 8, 5:30 PM: Int’l Game and Fish Association – Fishing Hall of Fame, 300 Gulfstream Way, Dania Beach, Florida

Tuesday, April 9, 5:30 PM: Edison State College, Collier Campus – Building J7007, Lely Cultural Parkway, Naples, Florida

Wednesday, April 10, 5:30 PM: Murray Nelson Government Center?– 102050 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, Florida

Thursday, April 11, 5:30 PM: Florida International University – Stadium Club, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, Florida

WHY: It is important that the National Park Service hear from boaters about how you enjoy the park and access the areas you want to visit.  

HOW: If you are unable to attend a meeting, you have until May 12th to submit your comments online at:

 http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=374&projectID=11170&documentID=51890

 WHO: Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is actively engaged with the NPS regarding recreational boating access to Everglades and other parks around the nation.

 And here are those links to confirm that the NPS is no friend to fishermen:

Angler Groups Keep Fishing for Biscayne Bay Access.

National Park Service Didn't Get the Memo About Reconnecting.

Some in Congress Fight Back for Angler Access at Cape Hatteras.

Thirty Invaders Bite the Dust in Python Challenge

Thirty Burmese pythons have been killed so far in the Florida Everglades as part of the Python Challenge that began Jan. 12.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says that eradicating pythons is not the goal of program, which ends Feb. 10. Rather, wildlife officials hope to raise awareness about the snake’s threat to native wildlife and the fragile Everglades ecosystem. Also, they believe that the hunt will help them collect valuable information about the exotic predator’s habits so that it might be better controlled.

By the way, plug "pythons on the loose" and "alligators on the loose" into a Google search if you want to get an idea of the problem that we have in this country with irresponsible pet owners and an under-regulated exotic pet industry. They're also the ones that introduced some of our troublesome aquatic plants, including Eurasian watermilfoil. Likely, they are responsible for snakeheads as well.

Yeah . . . But Can You Catch a Python?

Photo by Pat Lynch of South Florida Water Management District

So . . . you can catch fish.

 But can you catch pythons? If you can or if you would like to find out if you can, check out Florida’s 2013 Python Challenge, in which prizes will be awarded to those who catch the longest and most Burmese pythons.

 Yet another exotic introduced by an irresponsible and under-regulated pet industry, the large, predatory python poses a threat not only to much of the wildlife in the Everglades, but to people and pets, as it expands its range in southern Florida.

The big question if you enter the challenge: What do you use for bait?