University of Florida researchers are urging South Floridians to help stop the spread of an invasive fish now secretly moving through canals, marshes and wetlands across the region’s most vulnerable environments.
Visitors, residents, anglers, Gladesmen and outdoor enthusiasts in western Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties are asked to report sightings of the Asian swamp eel.
April marks Citizen Science Month, and researchers say public participation is critical to detecting this hard-to-find species before it becomes more widespread.
“These fish are difficult to find, and that’s exactly why we need the public’s help,” said Frank J. Mazzotti, a professor of wildlife ecology with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) in Fort Lauderdale. “We can’t be everywhere all the time, but collectively, the public can.”
Native to East and Southeast Asia, Asian swamp eels were first detected in the United States in the 1990s and later observed in the Florida Everglades in 2007. Since then, they have established multiple populations across South Florida, raising concern among scientists about their impact on native ecosystems.
The species preys on and competes with native wildlife, with evidence suggesting declines in crayfish and amphibians in some areas,” according to Mazzotti, who is based at the UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center.
“A big concern is how invasive species like these will interact with the Everglades restoration,” he said. “If we get the water right, but can’t control invasive species, have we really restored the Everglades?”
Part of what makes Asian swamp eels so challenging is how well they adapt to South Florida’s environment. They can breathe air, survive in low-oxygen conditions, and persist through wet and dry seasons by burrowing into mud. They’re mostly nocturnal and their secretive behavior also makes it difficult to detect using traditional survey methods, such as daytime electrofishing.
While researchers have developed new tools, including environmental DNA techniques that can detect the species in water samples, those methods cannot cover every canal and wetland. That gap is where the public plays a critical role.
This effort builds on previous outreach campaigns that showed just how powerful citizen science can be. By combining traditional media, social media and direct community engagement, researchers were able to generate a high number of public reports that helped track invasive species across the region. Now, scientists are applying that same approach to Asian swamp eels, with a particular focus on communities closest to the Everglades.
“People who live, work and spend time outdoors in these areas are our best eyes on the ground,” said Mazzotti. “Some of the most valuable observations come from those who know these waterways best.”
Anyone who spots an eel-like fish in canals, wetlands or marshy areas is encouraged to snap a photo with their smartphone and report it immediately by calling 1-888-IVEGOT1 (483-4681), visiting www.IVEGOT1.org, or using the IVEGOT1 mobile app. These reports help scientists track the species’ spread, prioritize response efforts and better understand its impact on South Florida ecosystems.
As Citizen Science Month highlights the role of the public in advancing research, Mazzotti stresses this is a meaningful way to get involved.
“Scientific discovery doesn’t just happen in labs, it happens in backyards, along canal banks and out on the water,” said Mazzotti. “Every report matters. You might be the one who helps us find the next population and stop it from spreading further.”
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By Lourdes Mederos, rodriguezl@ufl.edu
ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.
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