A Maine state biologist says a species of illegally introduced fish has turned up in a landlocked pond in a rural part of the state, potentially jeopardizing the local ecosystem.
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife biologist Gregory Burr says landlocked alewives, a kind of herring, are present in Beech Hill Pond near Otis. He says the fish must have arrived in the pond via an illegal introduction by someone.
Burr tells the Bangor Daily News the presence of the fish could be "very detrimental" to other fish species in the pond, which is popular with fishermen. He says authorities will monitor the situation closely.
The pond is home to landlocked salmon, trout and bass. The state record lake trout came from the pond more than six years ago.