Non-native marine fishes in florida: Updated checklist, population status and early detection/rapid response

Abstract

It has been ten years since the last comprehensive assessment of non-native marine fishes in Florida. Herein, we report sightings of 41 species from Florida coastal waters since the earliest reported sighting in 1984. Information is provided on the population status of each species (e.g., established, eradicated, unknown), and our early detection/rapid response program to remove these fish is described. Of the 41 species, five have established reproducing populations. Nineteen species are either eradicated or failed, while the status of 17 additional species is unknown. Since 1999, 18 individuals comprising 13 species have been removed from coastal waters, most of which were collected through our early-detection/rapid-response program. Many of those fishes were transferred to public aquaria where they were displayed to provide educational information to the public. Most reports of non-native marine fishes originated from citizen scientists, emphasizing the importance of outreach and education.