From cast-off pets to a pond catastrophe: P.E.I. naturalists dealing with goldfish sightings

A central P.E.I. watershed group and the provincial Department of Forests, Fish and Wildlife are sounding the alarm over a resurgence of goldfish sightings in Hardy’s Pond. Teams had previously removed hundreds of goldfish from the 9.2-hectare pond in the Union Road area, north of Charlottetown in 2021. However, recent reports from the public indicate that the population is on the rise once again, with schools of the brightly colored fish being spotted.

Raena Parent from the Winter River-Tracadie Bay Watershed Association expressed concern over the situation, noting that even small goldfish have been sighted this year, indicating successful reproduction. Reports suggest that there could be at least 100 goldfish in the pond, a number that poses a threat to the native species in the area. Goldfish are considered invasive as they can disrupt the ecosystem by consuming vegetation, other fish, fish eggs, and insects, leading to a detrimental impact on the habitat.

Hardy’s Pond has been dredged in the past, but there is still a significant amount of silt present. When goldfish, known for being bottom feeders, stir up the silt, it can impede plant growth by limiting light penetration, further exacerbating the ecosystem imbalance.

Freshwater fisheries biologist, Rosie MacFarlane, suspects that the goldfish population in Hardy’s Pond may have originated from discarded pets from home aquariums or backyard ponds. MacFarlane emphasized the importance of responsible pet ownership and urged individuals to rehome unwanted goldfish or euthanize them humanely to prevent further proliferation in natural water bodies.

Efforts are being made to contain the goldfish population within Hardy’s Pond and prevent their spread to the Winter River. MacFarlane’s team has located several goldfish specimens near the pond’s dam, indicating a localized concentration. Plans are underway to assess the situation more comprehensively and implement management strategies to control the population.

The Winter River-Tracadie Bay Watershed Association is actively monitoring the situation and addressing issues in the surrounding streams. It is crucial to address the goldfish invasion promptly to prevent the species from dominating the area and compromising the biodiversity of the ecosystem. Vigilance and proactive measures are essential to safeguard the ecological balance of Hardy’s Pond and the surrounding waterways.