Biologists 'electro-fish' to remove flatheads from Satilla

WOODBINE - The number of flathead catfish in southeast Georgia&#39;s Satilla River has been dwindling due to state efforts to fight back against the invasive Western fish. <br> <br> Using a technique called electro-fishing, the Department of Natural Resources fisheries office in Waycross has been floating down a section of the Satilla, shocking and removing the flatheads. <br> <br> The battery charge is set at a voltage low enough to briefly stun only catfish. The flatheads are netted and the other species are set free. The work takes quick reflexes because fish make a speedy recovery from the shock and usually don&#39;t respond to a second jolt. <br> <br> Flatheads are more susceptible to the shock and recover more slowly than other fish. Once in the boat, their mottled yellow, brown and black coloring makes them easy to pick out. <br> <br> Flatheads have been illegally introduced into Georgia&#39;s rivers, and have eaten away at native species, such as the redbreast sunfish and bullhead catfish. <br> <br> State biologist Don Harrison said the Satilla&#39;s flathead population seems to be shrinking -- in numbers and in size, based on levels from last year&#39;s electro-fishing in the same 60 mile stretch of river. <br> <br> This year, the biologists caught five fish an hour, compared to nine an hour last year. <br> <br> At one time the state had hopes of removing flatheads from all rivers in southeast Georgia, but it has virtually given up on all but the Satilla. The state tried to reduce flathead numbers in the Altamaha River and its tributaries, but has abandonedthe effort.