HOUMA, La. (AP) — Biologists with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries are preparing to eliminate a cluster of invasive fish found in waters off Plaquemines Parish.

The fish, tilapia, is a popular imported and farmed fish served in restaurants, but biologist fear it could devastate native species important to recreational and commercial fisheries.

The Wildlife and Fisheries Commission declared an emergency last week, which will allow agents to kill tilapia in an isolated part of Plaquemines Parish.

Gary Tilyou, administrator of the state inland fisheries program, says poisoning the fish with heavy applications of a substance called rotenone will take about two weeks.

Officials say the waterways in question include a canal and connecting ponds that do not link with any major waterways in the parish.