Invasive goldfish face electrocution in B.C.

The familiar orangefish that many of us knew and cared for as pets duringchildhood isat the centre of a massive takedown.

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Volunteers suited up in Ghostbusters-likebackpackshave spent the past two days electrocuting goldfishin Dragon Lake, near Quesnel, B.C.

It's believed the fish were dumped therebyformer owners, and over the years their numbers havemultiplied. Now the lake is up to its gills in goldfish.

"They've been able to breed in the lake for years," saidTracy Bond, of the Baker Creek Enhancement Society, an environmental group.

Bond said thegoldfish aredisplacing native fish, eating their food and taking over their habitat.

So far, the crews, who've had training in use of the equipment,have taken about4,500 goldfish out of the water. The volunteers wade into the water,placing a wand beneath the surface, which creates a chargewhich stuns or kills the fish.

Bond said there could still be many more goldfish in the lake.Unlikethe fragile goldfish we kept in bowls, these have turned out to be tough.

"They can handle things our native fish can't handle," said Bond.

The goldfishare in the lake'sshallow area in the reeds, she said.

"We think they're probably spawning," she said, "They are hanging out in shallow water and don't have the other species around them."

The group hasthe proper permits for electrocuting the fish and is working on finding other techniques for catching the fish once they are on the move.

With files from the CBC'sDaybreak Northand Jordan Tucker and Andrew Kurjata.

To hear the full story listen to the audio labelled:Thousands of goldfish are being electrocuted in B.C.