Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Prawns threaten Gulf fisheries

Escapees could become an invasive species and disease vector:
Giant tiger prawns first appeared in Louisiana waterways two years ago, and mature adults have been spotted near Lafitte, Grand Isle, Venice and in Vermilion Bay, according to Wildlife and Fisheries.

Tiger prawns are used in aquaculture and first escaped from a facility in Bluffton, S.C., in 1988. But officials believe an additional release may have taken place from a facility in Alabama during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.