Invasive fish species found in east Arkansas (UALR Public Radio) - State officials say an invasive fish species from Asia has been identified in Lee County.

The northern snakehead was banned in Arkansas in 2002, but officials say the species may have been brought into the state before the ban.

"The northern snakehead is used as a food species in Asia, and we know some were brought to fish farms in the U.S. before 2002," said Mark Oliver, assistant chief of fisheries for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. "Fish farmers in Arkansas realized the potential danger the species posed and tried to eradicate them even before bans were imposed."

Biologists are killing every confirmed northern snakehead they find, but officials say eradication will be difficult.

"We can't be sure exactly where this population came from and we just don't know how far they've spread," Oliver said. "Their abilities to live in extremely poor water conditions and reproduce quickly make them a difficult target to completely eliminate."

But biologists urged that the fish isn't dangerous to humans - only to other fish.

"The fish's name, appearance and ability to survive out of the water for short periods make it easy to sensationalize," said John Odenkirk of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. "They're nothing like the horror stories I've heard and seen."

Oliver added: "They're a top-shelf predator in our fisheries, but they aren't some kind of Frankenfish that will attack people or chase them on land."

The northern snakehead target largemouth bass, bream and crappie.

"Right now it's just too early to tell what sort of impact snakeheads may have on a fishery," Odenkirk said. "But invasive species rarely provide many benefits to systems where they are introduced. By the time the damage is seen, it can be too late to control."

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