F&G Council: 10/21/25:

[AndyS]

Snakehead Removal in the Mullica River:
Chris Smith, BFF, gave a presentation on Snakehead Removal in the Mullica River Archway Lake and connecting waters. Snakeheads were found in the Delaware around 2008, and we started sampling them in 2009 and well on our way of catching them in 2010. We were getting reports from 1-2 waterbodies for the first couple of years and now its half of the Delaware river from Trenton all the way down to Salem County and now above Trenton and continues to spread all the way up into NY.
Starting in 2022 we created New Jersey AISMP Development (Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan). July, we got awarded $20k, September 2022 the statement of work developed, October 2022 Contractors solicitation and the Core Team was formed, fall 2023 the Draft Plan for agency review/approvals, and Spring 2024 Plan signed by Governor and ANSTF
review and approval. The Plan objectives; Oversight & Coordination, Prevention, Surveillance & Early Detection, Response & Restoration, and Long-term Control & Evaluation.
The Fish Code – N.J.A.C. 7:25-6.1(g) prohibits the possession or release of live potentially dangerous animals including fish.
-N.J.A.C. 7:25-6.2 identifies thirteen species that have been designated as “potentially Dangerous Species”, with one additional (Freshwater Drum) proposed for 2026
-Possession and/or release of these fish species is prohibited and if encountered while angling, they must be destroyed.
-10 out of 13 species have already been found in NJ.
If you encounter any aquatic invasive species, you can go on the website to the AIS Reporting Form and fill it out and submit your photos to help NJF&W track and control any further spread.