State agency wants limits on shrimp, rat

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is considering placing restrictions on two non-native species with the potential to cause damage to the state’s ecosystems.

One of the species, the commercially farmed Pacific white shrimp, would be restricted to closed systems with no connection to open water. A permit would be required to possess, sell, purchase, breed or exchange the shrimp.

Although the 9-inch saltwater invertebrate lacks the ability to survive in any of Montana’s natural waters, Mike Lee, a game warden with the agency’s enforcement division in Helena, said it’s a potential disease carrier.

“The controlled status of the shrimp would allow us to mitigate any potential impacts for disease transmission,” Lee said. “We have seen cases where ocean-type viruses have been imported to freshwater that actually mutate and spread in freshwater.”

The agency places similar restrictions on coho salmon for the same reason, he added.

The other problem species being considered is the African soft fur rat, which would be prohibited entirely.

The proposal states that the rat is highly adaptable and eradicating the rodent would be “very unlikely” if feral populations were to establish themselves in Montana. The species is within the Mastomys genus of rodents, which the proposal adds are known carriers of lassa fever and the plague.

To view or comment on the proposals, visit fwp.mt.gov. Public comments must be made by July 2, and can be emailed to: fwpexotics@mt.gov or mailed to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Fisheries Division–Exotics, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.

Reporter Samuel Wilson may be reached at 758-4407 or by email at swilson@dailyinterlake.com.