Limpkin Numbers Growing in Louisiana

As summer time approaches anglers throughout the south are recognizing one thing that has been nonexistent over the colder months of winter – Apple Snails. These snails are comparatively new to the Gulf states and had been first noticed in Louisiana in 2006. Since then their numbers have grown changing into a typical incidence for anglers who fish the brackish marsh. 

Dustin Newcombe of Slidell LA, not too long ago noticed among the apple snail eggs alongside some reeds within the marsh. “It’s onerous to overlook this stuff within the water and even more durable to overlook the fluorescent pink eggs that the snails lay,” Newcombe mentioned. The snails have made themselves at house right here in Louisiana and it’s taken a toll on the vegetation. In a examine in Asia, it’s been decided that these snails feed on younger rice vegetation nonetheless submerged in flooded fields. It’s attainable that their presence within the Louisiana rice fields might end in broken crops and blocked irrigation pipes. Scientists fear that this might additionally influence crawfish manufacturing in south Louisiana. 

Whereas the snails have made themselves at house within the Bayou State, one other non-resident has moved in and is feeding on the snails. It’s known as a Limpkin. These marsh hens are darkish brown in coloration and have been slowly rising in numbers. 

Robert Dobbs is with the LDWF and says that he’s optimistic that the Limpkins which have migrated from Florida will make a distinction in scaling down the infestation of Apple Snails within the space. “Proper now, there isn’t sufficient Limpkins to make a lot of an influence on the apple snail inhabitants,’’ mentioned Dobbs. “But when this pattern continues and Limpkins actually do turn out to be established right here in Louisiana,  it’s attainable that they are going to present some stage of biocontrol.”

Dobbs mentioned he bases his optimism on comparable eventualities which have occurred in different states. The sample appears to be that the apple snails present up and turn out to be established and the Limpkins comply with roughly 10 years later.

Apple snails first confirmed up in Louisiana round 2013. Now, about 10 years later, the Limpkin have adopted. “We imagine the pairs of birds that initially confirmed up from Florida and haven’t left,’’ Dobbs mentioned. “There isn’t a proof that they’re migrating backwards and forwards. Evidently they got here and stayed.’’ 

LDWF warns individuals also needs to keep away from dealing with egg clusters as they could comprise a neurotoxin that irritates the eyes and pores and skin

To report any apple snails the division recommends contacting the invasive safety hotline by telephone or e-mail:

ANS Hotline: 225-765-3977

ANS E-mail: AquaticInvasives@wlf.la.gov

Keith Lusher

Keith Lusher is an award profitable outside journalist that resides in Covington, Louisiana. He owns and operates NorthshoreFishingReport.com and writes a weekly outside column for the Slidell Impartial Newspaper. He additionally writes for the St.Tammany Parish Tourism Fee’s VisitTheNorthshore.com. He’s the previous host of The Northshore Fishing Report Radio Present and is on the board of the Louisiana Outside Writers Affiliation. Keith contributes to quite a few publications each on-line and in print and prides himself on selling South Louisiana’s distinctive fishery. To contact Keith e-mail: keithlusherjr@gmail.com