The northern snakehead, a predatory and quick-breeding fish indigenous to southeast Asia, was found in Maryland in May, prompting officials in neighboring states to worry about the non-native species. N.C. officials banned the transportation and sale of the fish Wednesday. The ban goes into effect today.
Harris said the fish could eat the food sources of larger fish -- potentially starving N.C. game fish that attract economy-boosting anglers. "A fish like that competing with all these other sport fishes has the potential for a severe economic impact."
In May, 100 baby northern snakeheads were found in a pond in Maryland -- the only state out of the seven that have reported snakeheads where reproduction has been confirmed.
But two fishermen last month reported finding two snakeheads in a lake outside of Charlotte. State environmental officials are investigating.
If the fish are in the state, they also have the potential to eradicate endangered species, causing the total extinction of fish found only in North Carolina, said Jeff Harris, chief of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Inland Fisheries division.
Northern snakeheads can survive on land for up to three days -- eating populations of fish in one body of water and then "walking" to others to feed.
They can grow to 40 inches and weigh as much as 15 pounds. One fish found was a little longer than the length of this newspaper. The fish has a wide mouth, sharp teeth and powerful jaws and primarily eats large fish, frogs, birds, and small mammals.
But despite fears of a "Jaws" on land, environmentalists say humans need not worry about fish attacks. "It's not a piranha walking on land," Harris said.
And he says hikers aren't likely to encounter a migrating snakehead while backpacking. "The fish is capable of moving short distances on land," Harris said. "Its fins are fleshy and to say 'walking' is generous. It's not taking Appalachian treks across the land."
