NARROWSBURG, NY — Last year, a family was stopped from dumping a goldfish into the Delaware River. 

That’s not something you can do, and for a very good reason. Goldfish are carp, which is an invasive species here. 

Leeann Bruetsch is the Sullivan County team leader for the Watershed Steward Program (part of the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership, aka CRISP). She was involved in the situation, accompanied by a park service law enforcement officer.

The family had acquired the goldfish at a county fair, said Mary Keefe, assistant program coordinator at CRISP, and was “releasing it into nature. 

“Many people do not know the harm that this can cause to an ecosystem; aquarium dumps of fish and plants are often how new invasives spread,” Keefe said. Carp can get as big as their containers allow. One of the biggest recorded goldfishes weighed 67 pounds.

All boats and all fishing gear (including line, rope, anchors, props, shallow water anchors, motors etc.) can harbor aquatic invasive species. Kayaks too—and even lifejackets. 

Breutsch and Keefe will present “Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!” on Thursday, September 7 at 7 p.m. at the Upper Delaware Council (UDC) office.

The program is hosted by the UDC.

In addition to showing the types of aquatic animals (mollusks, crustaceans and fish) and plants (floating, submerged and algae) that are a concern, the speakers will explain why it’s important to “Clean, Drain and Treat” boats and fishing equipment before and after visiting bodies of water.

Yes, the Delaware River. Yes, lakes and ponds.

Because people have taken care to prevent the spread of invasives, there have been success stories—but there are myths to bust and more to learn about what invasives can do to our region. 

Watershed stewards are posted at various public boat and fishing launch areas throughout New York State to inform people how they can help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species.

CRISP is a partnership hosted by the Arkville-based Catskill Center for Conservation and Development. 

The UDC business meeting that follows the presentation will include status reports from various organizations, discussion of old and new business, and public comment.

The UDC office is located at 211 Bridge St. A Zoom option will be available for remote participation.

All UDC meetings are open to the public. For more information, email Stephanie Driscoll, administrative support, at stephanie@upperdelawarecouncil.org or call 845/252-3022.

Check www.upperdelawarecouncil.org or UDC social media pages for any meeting updates.

Annemarie Schuetz contributed reporting to this story.