5 Non-Native Species in Aquaculture
177
environmentally sound aquaculture practices. If aquaculture is to be sustainable
and the ecosystem safeguarded, particularly in regions of high endemism (i.e.,
biodiversity hotspots), effective controls on the introduction of non-native species
associated with production are needed. Species diversity has been linked to
increased robustness of systems to exploitation (Worm et al. 2006), making protection of biodiversity hotspots a clear priority (Webster et al. 2005). Existing
codes of practice and risk evaluation models serve as important guidelines and
should be carefully considered and actively promoted in planning non-native
aquaculture. The 10-year Global Conservation Fund or the 5-year Critical
Ecosystem Partnership Fund, which are aimed exclusively at hotspots (Brooks
et al. 2006) should be used to assist the regions of highest risk to adopt international regulations and risk assessments for the introduction of non-native species
for aquaculture purposes.
It is evident that a multi-disciplinary approach is needed to draw together
experts, particularly from aquaculture, invasion biology, sociology and economics,
which till now have had relatively limited interaction. In addition, efforts should
be directed towards joint partnerships between countries and experts that have
pioneered aquaculture research and those which possess the greatest biodiversity
to improve growth rates, immunological resistance, product quality and market
availability for native cultured species and/ or to design more robust aquaculture
systems. Such action would either reduce the need to introduce non-native species
for aquaculture purposes or minimise the risk of escape.
Finally, efforts should be advanced to increase the profile of concerns surrounding non-natives, in order to educate and involve a broad cross-section
(scientists, industry, managers and the public) and promote sustainable aquaculture practices. This should include an international forum of experts and
countries prepared to aid development in developing countries, symposia and
workshops that engage a diverse community, ready access to the above codes of
practice and related information, and explore market identity for environmentally sound products (Bartley and Minchin 1996).
References
ABARE (2006) Australian fisheries statistics 2005, Canberra, Australia
Almodóvar A, Suárez J, Nicola GG, NuevoAlmod M (2001) Genetic introgression between wild
and stocked brown trout in the Douro River basin, Spain. Journal of Fish Biology 59: 68–74
Aloo PA (2003) Biological diversity of the Yala Swamp lakes, with special emphasis on fish species composition, in relation to changes in the Lake Victoria Basin (Kenya): threats and conservation measures. Biodiversity and Conservation 12: 905–920
Arnaud-Haond S, Vonau V, Bonhomme F, Boudry P, Blanc F, Prou J, Seaman T, Goyard E (2004
Spatio-temporal variation in the genetic composition of wild populations of pearl oyster
(Pinctada margaritifera cumingii) in French Polynesia following 10 years of juvenile translocation. Molecular Ecology 13: 2001–2007
Balboa WA, King TL, Hammerschmidt PC (1991) Occurrence of Pacific white shrimp in Lower Laguna
Madre, Texas, Annual Conference Southeast Association Fish and Wildlife Agencies, pp. 288–292
177
environmentally sound aquaculture practices. If aquaculture is to be sustainable
and the ecosystem safeguarded, particularly in regions of high endemism (i.e.,
biodiversity hotspots), effective controls on the introduction of non-native species
associated with production are needed. Species diversity has been linked to
increased robustness of systems to exploitation (Worm et al. 2006), making protection of biodiversity hotspots a clear priority (Webster et al. 2005). Existing
codes of practice and risk evaluation models serve as important guidelines and
should be carefully considered and actively promoted in planning non-native
aquaculture. The 10-year Global Conservation Fund or the 5-year Critical
Ecosystem Partnership Fund, which are aimed exclusively at hotspots (Brooks
et al. 2006) should be used to assist the regions of highest risk to adopt international regulations and risk assessments for the introduction of non-native species
for aquaculture purposes.
It is evident that a multi-disciplinary approach is needed to draw together
experts, particularly from aquaculture, invasion biology, sociology and economics,
which till now have had relatively limited interaction. In addition, efforts should
be directed towards joint partnerships between countries and experts that have
pioneered aquaculture research and those which possess the greatest biodiversity
to improve growth rates, immunological resistance, product quality and market
availability for native cultured species and/ or to design more robust aquaculture
systems. Such action would either reduce the need to introduce non-native species
for aquaculture purposes or minimise the risk of escape.
Finally, efforts should be advanced to increase the profile of concerns surrounding non-natives, in order to educate and involve a broad cross-section
(scientists, industry, managers and the public) and promote sustainable aquaculture practices. This should include an international forum of experts and
countries prepared to aid development in developing countries, symposia and
workshops that engage a diverse community, ready access to the above codes of
practice and related information, and explore market identity for environmentally sound products (Bartley and Minchin 1996).
References
ABARE (2006) Australian fisheries statistics 2005, Canberra, Australia
Almodóvar A, Suárez J, Nicola GG, NuevoAlmod M (2001) Genetic introgression between wild
and stocked brown trout in the Douro River basin, Spain. Journal of Fish Biology 59: 68–74
Aloo PA (2003) Biological diversity of the Yala Swamp lakes, with special emphasis on fish species composition, in relation to changes in the Lake Victoria Basin (Kenya): threats and conservation measures. Biodiversity and Conservation 12: 905–920
Arnaud-Haond S, Vonau V, Bonhomme F, Boudry P, Blanc F, Prou J, Seaman T, Goyard E (2004
Spatio-temporal variation in the genetic composition of wild populations of pearl oyster
(Pinctada margaritifera cumingii) in French Polynesia following 10 years of juvenile translocation. Molecular Ecology 13: 2001–2007
Balboa WA, King TL, Hammerschmidt PC (1991) Occurrence of Pacific white shrimp in Lower Laguna
Madre, Texas, Annual Conference Southeast Association Fish and Wildlife Agencies, pp. 288–292