Stepping into the Wenshui Visitor Center of the Shei-Pa National Park Headquarters (hereinafter referred to as Shei-Pa Headquarters), the shimmering Wenshui Ecological Pond has always been a peaceful corner where visitors stop by and experience nature. The water in the ecological pond is introduced from the nearby Chuanlong Ditch. Originally, the ecological pond was dominated by native fish species, including Formosania lacustre, Cobitis sinensis, Candidia barbata, Rhinogobius rubromaculatus, etc. However, invasive species such as the red-eared slider and tilapia have gradually appeared in the ecological pond. A research team led by Professor Chiu Yuh-wen from the Department of Biological Resources at National Chiayi University was commissioned by Shei-Pa Headquarters from 2024 to 2025 to conduct a survey. They discovered 16 species of aquatic animals belonging to 7 families in the ecological pond, half of which were invasive fish species, including the aggressive large-mouth bass, tilapia, and Pterygoplichthys pardalis commonly known as the "sailfin catfish". These invasive species accounted for over 55% of the total population, indicating that the pressure from invasive species has already affected the survival competitiveness of native fish.
To remove invasive species from the Wenshui Ecological Pond, Shei-Pa Headquarters commissioned Professor Chiu Yuh-wen's research team from Chiayi University to utilize diverse scientific fishing methods, including lure fishing, cast nets, gillnets, long sinking cages, and shrimp cages, based on the habits of different fish species. After six precise removal operations and two events held to allow public participation in removing invasive species, they successfully removed a total of over 835 invasive fish from 7 species across 5 families, with a total weight exceeding 100 kilograms. Currently, the average weight of populations such as the large-mouth bass and Tilapia zillii has shown a downward trend, indicating that the removal strategy is effectively slowing down the reproduction and dispersion of invasive species in the pond.
In addition to the on-site protection and management of the ecological pond, Shei-Pa Headquarters has extended its vision to the neighboring Wenshui Creek water system. A general survey found that koi carp, tilapia, as well as native invasive species Onychostoma alticorpus and Spinibarbus hollandi, have already appeared in the surrounding river sections, demonstrating the importance of habitat connectivity and source management. At the same time, hoping to strengthen ecological and environmental education for the public, Shei-Pa Headquarters held the "Conservation Attack" and "Shei-Pa Eliminating the Four Pests" workshops to clear invasive species from the ecological pond for two consecutive years, attracting nearly a hundred citizens to join the invasive species removal work. By removing invasive species through methods such as lure fishing and casting nets, it not only deepened the public's understanding of the ecological hazards caused by invasive alien species, but also deeply implanted the environmental ethics of "no releasing, no abandoning" into their hearts, enhancing correct awareness of the invasive alien species issue.
Lin Wen-he, Director of Shei-Pa Headquarters, stated: "A healthy habitat is the core of ecological conservation. By mastering the current status of invasive fish in the Wenshui Campus through surveys and establishing management mechanisms, while promoting public participation in invasive species removal activities, we strengthen ecological conservation education for the public. This ensures that conservation work is no longer just the government's responsibility, but a joint action of all people. Members of the public are welcome to visit the Wenshui Ecological Campus. In addition to the indoor ecological exhibits, the outdoor leafy shade and the ecological pond trail are also great places to relax."