the invasive species destroy ecosystems
Fishing at Sebago Lake is not what it used to be. Northern pike are slowly taking over the local landlocked salmon population, creating a disharmony in the local ecosystem. Illegal fish introduction is the largest threat to Maine's native fish populations and fishing tradition. At its worst, it could lead to the decimation of otherwise long-lasting fish species. Fishing is my passion, and spending my summers in the Maine wilderness helped me hone my skills, allowing that passion to grow. There is nothing like canoeing out alone during those beautiful summer evenings and fishing for salmon, especially since during that time of day the surface of the lake is like glass. I'm worried that the introduction of nonnative species could negatively impact not only the environment, but also the sport that means so much to me.
Invasive species are a terrible problem, however there are preventative measures we can take to stop them from spreading elsewhere and harming other ecosystems. These steps can be as simple as properly disposing of unused bait, following the fishing regulations specific to the location you are fishing, and reporting any illegal introductions you see. Besides those preventative measures, there isn't much that can be done for bodies of water where invasive species such as pike have already taken over, other than hope that anglers slowly catch and remove them over time. While these measures aren't as effective as we'd like them to be, it's all there is so far. I want to change that. Through UMaine's excellent wildlife ecology program, I hope to gain the knowledge I need to become part of a solution to the problem at hand. I plan on building a community focused on ecologically smart fishing tactics, and raising awareness to the issue by connecting with my peers through the many different student organizations available to join.
The ultimate goal of my college experience is to learn even more about my passion, and what I can do to protect it in the future. The best way to do that is to gain as much hands-on experience with the subject as I can, and the University of Maine is the perfect place for that. I know that I'd be surrounded by students and faculty who all share the same love of nature that I do, so I'd plan on taking this as an opportunity to learn from my peers, and maybe even teach them a few things! Maybe together we'd be able to find a solution.
