BUTTERFLY REPORTING IN LEE COUNTY, ALEX. HOWARD, GULF COAST NEWS. WELL, SPEAKING OF INVASIVE SPECIES, ANGLERS ARE HELPING REMOVE INVASIVE FISH THIS WEEKEND. >> THIS YEAR’S INVASIVE FRESH WATER FISH ROUNDUP STARTED FRIDAY. AND TODAY ALL FISH CAPTURED WILL BE WEIGHED IN. YEAH. AND GULF COAST NEWS REPORT A TAJIK. A CELL IS LIVE AT THE BMX BOAT RAMP ALONG SOUTHWEST 7TH COURT IN CAPE CORAL. THAT’S A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE HAVE FRESH WATER ACCESS FOR FISHING, THE TOUCH IT. YOU SPOKE WITH WILDLIFE EXPERTS ABOUT WHY THIS EVENT IS SO IMPORTANT. >> GOOD MORNING. LAYS YES’S A VERY IMPORTANT THAT IT’S ALL ABOUT A GOOD. IT’S ALL FOR A GOOD CAUSE. I ABROAD NOT MY FISHING GEAR BECAUSE IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY TO BE ABLE TO CAST OUT MY REAL AND FISH FOR SOME INVASIVE SPECIES. THAT’S ALL PART OF THE 2026 SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INVASIVE FRESH WATER FISH ROUNDUP HAS OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY. IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT REELING IN A BIG ONE. IT’S ABOUT PROTECTING OUR WATERWAYS LAST YEAR. ANGLERS BROUGHT IN MORE THAN 16,000 FISH. AND THIS YEAR, ORGANIZERS EXPECT THOUSANDS MORE INVASIVE FISH ARE CAUSING REAL PROBLEMS FOR NATIVE WILDLIFE, DAMAGING ECOSYSTEMS, AND EVEN POSING RISKS TO PEOPLE. THERE HAVE BEEN 147 REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS AND TEENS ARE SPREADING OUT ACROSS THE GULF COAST FROM THE CANALS TO COMMUNITY PARTS AND EVEN THE EVERGLADES ALL WITH THE SAME GOAL. AND THAT’S TO REMOVE AS MANY INVASIVE FISH AS POSSIBLE. MANY OF THEM START AS UNWANTED PETS OR ESCAPE FROM AQUA CULTURE. AND NOW THEY’RE JUST TAKING OVER. >> WE DO A LOT OF COLD DATA COLLECTION. WE DO A LOT OF COAL RESEARCH WITH THE FISH AND WE DO A LOT OF EDUCATION AND AWARENESS ON INVASIVE SPECIES. CAUSE. >> IF YOU WERE TO PHYSICALLY REMOVE A LOT OF THESE INVASIVE SPECIES, IT’S IT’S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. BUT THE REAL LONG-TERM IMPACTS IS EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON WHAT IS INVASIVE SPECIES TO PREVENT ANY NEW ONES FROM BECOMING BELIEFS ARE ESTABLISHING OR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT. AND REALLY JUST SORT OF EDUCATE PEOPLE ON, YOU KNOW, THEY’RE HERE AMONG US AND WHAT THEY CAN DO TO HELP OUT. >> TODAY’S THAT ALSO COMES WITH LITTLE FRIENDLY COMPETITION TO AND THE FUN DOESN’T STOP ON THE WATER. YOU CAN HEAD OVER TO BASS PRO SHOPS IN FORT MYERS FOR THE BIG WAY AND THAT’S HAPPENING FROM NOON TO 3 AT 4 O’CLOCK. THEY WILL BE ANNOUNCING THE BIG WINN
Anglers reel in invasive species at 2026 Southwest Florida Invasive Freshwater Fish Roundup
Updated: 6:45 PM EDT Apr 26, 2026
The 2026 Southwest Florida Invasive Freshwater Fish Roundup, hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, wrapped up its last day on Sunday. It brought anglers together to remove invasive fish species and protect local waterways. Last year, participants caught more than 16,000 fish, and organizers expect thousands more to be removed this year. Invasive fish are causing problems for native wildlife, damaging ecosystems, and even posing risks to people. Michael Sipos, a Marine Extension Agent for UF/IFAS Extension Collier County, said, “We do a lot of cool research with the fish, and we do a lot of education and awareness on invasive species, because if you were to physically remove a lot of these invasive species, it’s almost impossible.”With 147 registered participants, teams spread out across Southwest Florida, from canals and community ponds to the Everglades, all with the goal of removing as many invasive fish as possible. Many of these fish started as unwanted pets or escaped from aquaculture and are now taking over local habitats.”The real long-term impact is educating the public on what is invasive species, to, you know, prevent any new ones from becoming released or established in our local environment and to, you know, really just sort of educate people on, you know, they’re here among us and what they can do to help out,” Sipos said.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
The 2026 Southwest Florida Invasive Freshwater Fish Roundup, hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, wrapped up its last day on Sunday. It brought anglers together to remove invasive fish species and protect local waterways.
Last year, participants caught more than 16,000 fish, and organizers expect thousands more to be removed this year. Invasive fish are causing problems for native wildlife, damaging ecosystems, and even posing risks to people.
Michael Sipos, a Marine Extension Agent for UF/IFAS Extension Collier County, said, “We do a lot of cool research with the fish, and we do a lot of education and awareness on invasive species, because if you were to physically remove a lot of these invasive species, it’s almost impossible.”
With 147 registered participants, teams spread out across Southwest Florida, from canals and community ponds to the Everglades, all with the goal of removing as many invasive fish as possible. Many of these fish started as unwanted pets or escaped from aquaculture and are now taking over local habitats.
“The real long-term impact is educating the public on what is invasive species, to, you know, prevent any new ones from becoming released or established in our local environment and to, you know, really just sort of educate people on, you know, they’re here among us and what they can do to help out,” Sipos said.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.