Invasive Fishes, Ecosystem Restoration, and Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area

South Florida’s interconnected landscape of protected natural areas, highly disturbed habitats, and large urban centers set in a subtropical climate poses a challenging environment for invasive species management.  The result has been a large number of introduced species and a steady increase in non-native fishes that have become established in both state and federally managed freshwaters.   Everglades restoration goals are further challenged by invasive species, and the potential adverse influence invasive species may have on restoration goals was recently recognized.  The Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (ECISMA), a formal partnership of federal, state, and local government agencies, tribes, and other interested parties, was established to enhance multijurisdictional cooperation, coordination, and management of invasive species within the Everglades region.   Cooperative efforts such as “Fish Chats”, non-native fish surveys, sponsored fish tournaments, and a joint non-native fish assessment/removal effort have led to improved communication among partners, built upon monitoring and early detection activities, enhanced outreach with the public, and tested joint rapid response capabilities.  Development of the ECISMA Early Detection and Rapid Response Plan will further enhance collaborative efforts and capabilities for managing invasive fishes in south Florida.