NANAIMO, B.C. — A single piranha pulled by an angler from Westwood Lake in Nanaimo has provincial wildlife officials warning about the release of non-native species into the environment.
The release of invasive species into B.C. waters is a serious offence, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change said in a statement Friday.
A first-time offender convicted of the illegal movement of an invasive aquatic species can be punished with a fine up to $100,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to 12 months. Penalties double for a second offence.
The Nanaimo piranha, measuring 51 centimetres head to tail, was caught in July and submitted to local officials, who identified the creature as a red bellied piranha.
It is believed the fish was most likely released by an aquarium keeper.
Further sampling work in Westwood Lake by provincial fisheries biologists failed to find signs of piranha.
