Final answer:
The statement that largemouth bass have been stocked around the world and have harmed native fisheries in some areas is true. They disrupt local ecosystems by outcompeting native species. Changes in policies reflect a shift toward more cautious fish stocking due to environmental concerns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement regarding the largemouth bass, a freshwater sport fish native to North America, being stocked in lakes and ponds around the world and decimating indigenous fisheries in some places is true. These fish can disrupt native fish populations by preying on them. The largemouth bass competes with indigenous species for food and habitat, which can lead to a rapid decrease in native fish numbers. Furthermore, in some ecosystems, introduced largemouth bass are capable of eliminating native species through predation.
Unauthorized and unauthorized stocking of fish, including the largemouth bass, has often interfered with water body management plans and has resulted in various environmental and economic impacts. Efforts to introduce the largemouth bass and other sport fish into non-native ecosystems have been the dominant cause of shifts in those ecosystems, with millions of dollars being spent to control these illegally introduced species. States are now more cautious about stocking non-native species due to the recognized environmental consequences.