Presenter tells Southwest Ranches council Asian swamp eel sightings are in town and residents should report them

A presenter from the Fort Lauderdale Research & Education Center told the Southwest Ranches Town Council that the Asian swamp eel, an invasive species native to Southeast Asia, is present in the Everglades ecosystem and has been sighted in parts of Southwest Ranches.

The presenter said the eel — also called the rice paddy eel or known in some markets as the “white eel” — is active mainly at night, can traverse wetlands and canals and breathe air, and has been observed in unusual places including a Walmart parking lot after rain. “It is in Southwest Ranches,” the presenter said, and warned the species has been implicated in sharp reductions of crayfish and amphibian populations that form a key food source for wading birds.

The presenter described identifying features (brown back, pale underbelly, no visible scales or fins) and possible introduction pathways including the food trade, religious release practices, and bait release. He said that, because the species tolerates seasonal wetlands that dry out, it can flourish where native populations decline. “They have almost entirely wiped out the crayfish population,” he said, describing downstream effects on nesting white ibis and other wildlife.

To improve detection and response, the researcher asked residents and people who fish in the area to photograph any suspect eels and report sightings to the project hotline (hotline number not specified in the meeting record). He also recommended using minnow traps, two-way traps or hook-and-line with small hooks baited with shrimp or frogs, and to fish shallow, muddy edges at night when the eels are most active.

Council members asked about human safety and natural predators. The presenter said Asian swamp eels are not dangerous to humans, their mouths are too small to inflict significant bites, and they do not carry known parasites dangerous to people. Natural predators such as alligators and large wading birds will eat the eels where habitat supports those predators; in some drained seasonal wetlands (e.g., Taylor Slough areas), predator populations may be too low to check eel populations.

The presenter said the research team is soliciting targeted outreach and citizen-science reports to fill distribution gaps and help managers respond quickly to new populations. He urged residents to take photos, include precise locations and use the project’s reporting hotline or website to submit sightings. The council thanked the presenter and encouraged residents to participate in reporting and monitoring.

The town did not take formal action on the presentation; the meeting moved on to administrative items after council questions.