October 14, 2026 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm CDT
From nutria to lionfish, natural resource managers and culinary artists have speculated that harvest and use of invasive species could provide a means of managing or even eliminating nuisance populations. Through multiple reviews of the scientific and popular literature, we have concluded that, if used properly, incentivizing and encouraging public or commercial harvest could represent an opportunity to support management goals while simultaneously boosting economic development and environmental awareness. However, if used incorrectly, negative consequences such as generation of perverse incentives to further spread invaders can occur. In this talk, we will highlight principles we believe can help promote success and minimize risks of harvest-based invasive species management approaches. We’ll review the biological, ecological, human health, and socioeconomic factors involved in invasive species incentives. We also offer recommendations to assist in successful, delicious, and fashionable implementation of a successful harvest program.
*Note: The scientific results and conclusions, as well as any views or opinions expressed, are those of the presenters and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Matthew Barnes, PhD
Matthew Barnes is an Associate Professor of Natural Resources Management at Texas Tech University. His research program primarily focuses on detection and management of invasive species in freshwater systems, and he also conducts research on the ecology of environmental DNA (eDNA) and eDNA applications.
Andrew Deines, PhD
Andrew Deines is a Certified Fisheries Professional who helps clients understand how and why fish populations fail. He combines fisheries ecology, NRDA, and endangered species expertise with advanced analytics and defensible AI workflows to solve high-stakes environmental problems involving contaminants, habitat alteration, and biological injury.
Jason Goldberg, MS, MPP
Jason Goldberg is a Senior Management Analyst with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Joint Administrative Operations programs. Among other roles, he previously served as an injurious wildlife coordinator with the Service’s Branch of Aquatic Invasive Species. Jason also worked early in his career on Capitol Hill and with NOAA. In winter, he keeps warm with a scarf made from invasive New Zealand possums. He can also confirm that lionfish and blue catfish do not taste like chicken.
Susan Pasko, PhD
Susan Pasko works within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Branch of Aquatic Invasive Species, serving as the Executive Secretary of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, an intergovernmental committee dedicated to the prevention and management of aquatic invasive species. Prior, she served as the Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator at NOAA Fisheries. In these roles, Susan has worked with a variety of agencies and partners across the United States to develop and advance strategic and implementation plans that represent ANS Task Force priorities. Susan holds a B.S. in Marine Science from Stockton University and a PhD in Aquatic Ecology from Kent State University.