Don’t dump your pet goldfish into Richmond Hill ponds, anglers association says

RHAA concerned invasive species are threatening native fish populations

yorkregion.com
May 25, 2023

The Richmond Hill Anglers Association (RHAA) is raising the alarm about goldfish, an invasive species, discovered at three local stormwater ponds.

Robert Kolosowski, RHAA president, said the locations of ponds taken over by goldfish so far include Highgrove Crescent, Albright Crescent and Barnwood Drive in Richmond Hill. The goldfish come in orange, black, brown, red and white colour combinations and are up to a foot long.

“Goldfish are an invasive species that consume the eggs of native fish and outcompete them for food,” said Jordan Angus, RHAA vice president. “Their population grows exponentially until they are the only fish in the body of water.”

Goldfish spread from one waterbody to another when their eggs get attached to birds or amphibians that travel between them, explained Kolosowski. The species also spreads diseases that threaten native fish populations.

“The ecosystems of Lake Wilcox and Bond Lake will likely collapse if goldfish enter and establish themselves,” he said. “They have been spotted as close as 200 metres from these two lakes.”

RHAA suggests the following to help:

• Discourage owners from releasing pet fish, including goldfish and koi, into water bodies
• Stock stormwater ponds with predatory fish or conduct management of the ponds
• Educate the public on how to identify native from invasive species
• Amend the “no fishing” policy at stormwater ponds. “This arbitrary policy has prevented anglers from being able to protect our environment by tracking and removing invasive species from our ponds,” said Angus. “Instead, the policy should allow for the catch and release of native species and the removal of invasive ones.  
• Report sightings of invasive species to the Richmond Hill Anglers Association at https://www.rhanglers.ca.