Exotic Aquatic Organisms

166 Pages·2008·2.96 MB·English

Aquatic Organisms
Exotic
in Asia
Proceedings of a Workshop on Introduction of
Exotic Aquatic Organisms in Asia
Edited by
SENA S.DE SILVA
/
Asian Fisheries Society
Special Publication No. 3
tRIfS
ARCHIV i.j'ii
283
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AIDAB
CANADA
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Exotic Aquatic Organisms in Asia
Edited by
S.S. De Silva
1989
Published by the Asian Fisheries Society
in association with the
International Development Research Centre
of Canada
and the
Australian International Development
Assistance Bureau
Exotic Aquatic Organisms in Asia
Proceedings of a Workshop on Introduction of
Exotic Aquatic Organisms in Asia
Edited by
S.S Di SILVA
1989
Printèdin Manila, Philippines.
Dc Silva, S.S., editor. 1989. Exotic aquatic organisms in Asia.
Asian Fish. Soc. Spec. Pubi. 3, iS4 p.
Asian Fisheries Society, Manila, Philippines.
Copyright, 1989, Asian Fisheries Society, Philippines,
and International Development Research Centre, Canada.
Cover by: Ovidio Espiritu, Jr.
ISBN 97 1-1022-53-2
Contents
Foreword v
Introduction vi
Presidential Address vii
Dr. Chua Thia Eng, President
Asian Fisheries Society
Address by the Chairman of the Workshop ix
Dr. Sena S. De Silva
Exotics - A Global Perspective with Special
Reference to Finfish Introductions to Asia
S.S.DeSilva
Impacts of Introduced and Translocated
Freshwater Fishes in Australia 7
A.H. Art hington
Exotic and Translocated Freshwater Fishes in Australia 21
Ri. McKay
The Status of the Exotic Aquatic Organisms in China 35
Tan Yo-Jun and Tong He-Yi
Impact of Exotic Aquatic Species in Indian Waters 45
H.P.C. Shez'ty, M.C. Nandeesha andA.G. Jhingran
Exotic Aquatic Species Introduction into Indonesia 57
H. Muhammad Eidman
Present Status of Aquatic Organisms
Introduced into Japan 63
K. Chiba, V. Taki, K. Sakai and Y. Qozeki
The Status of Introduced Fish Species
in Malaysia 71
K.J. Ang, R. Gopinath and T.E. Chua
II'
The Introduction of Exotic Aquatic
Species in the Philippines 83
R.O. Juliano, R. Guerrero III and I. Ronquillo
Introduction of Exotic Aquatic Species
in Singapore 91
L.M. Chou and T.J. Lam
Status of Introduced Species in Sri Lanka 99
S.S. De Silva
Exotic Aquatic Species in Taiwan 101
I-Chiu Liao and Hsi-Chiang Liu
Exotic Aquatic Species in Thailand 119
T. Piyakarnchana
Australian Government Position:
Introduction of Exotic Aquatic Species 125
F.B. Michaelis
Recommendations of the Workshop 133
List of Participants 136
Appendices
Definition of Exotics 139
Assessment of the Impact of Major
Food Fish Species Introduced into
Some of the Asian Countries 141
Ill. Instances of Decline/Appearance
of Indigenous Species as a Possible
Consequence of Introduced Fish Species 150
Ornamental Fishes 152
Existing Legislation or Code of
Practices Adopted by Individual
Countries in Respect of Introducing
Aquatic Species 153
iv
Foreword
Introductions of exotic aquatic organisms have been going on worldwide for centuries. Asia,
for one, has long been engaged in importations from Africa and Europe. It has likewise been an
active center which has exported endemic species to other parts of the globe.
Because of the increasing problems brought about by indiscriminate transfers of 'potential'
species from one country to another, various national governments made steps to regulate such
activities.
The Code of Practice to reduce risks of introductions initially framed by the International
Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) was a vital step indicating worldwide concern on
the effects of uncontrolled species introductions. The European Inland Fisheries Advisory
Commission (EIFAC) in 1982 then organized a symposium on "Stock Enhancement in the
Management of Freshwater Fisheries" and visualized an International Code of Practice for
Europe. Rigid regulatory control measures were then patterned after these and employed by
many developed countries.
Unfortunately, the lack of strict regulatory measures in developing countries has resulted in
indiscriminate introductions, some of which remain unrecorded to this day.
The Workshop on the Introduction of Exotic Aquatic Organisms in Asia organized by the
Asian Fisheries Society in June 19-21, 1988 in Darwin, Australia, was an initial effort of
fisheries scientists in the region towards regulating exotic species introductions into Asia.
We appreciate the active participation of these scientists during the workshop and the
Society is grateful to the Australian International Development Assistance Bureau (AIDAB) and
the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada for the funding support which
contributed to the smooth and successful conduct of the workshop.
It is hoped that the issues and recommendations raised in this workshop shall complement
existing efforts of national governments and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the
United Nations (FAQ) in developing an applicable code of ethics in the regulation of future
introductions in Asia.
CHUA THIA-ENG
President
Asian Fisheries Society
V
Introduction
This special publication of the Asian Fisheries Society, in conjunction with the International
Development Research Centre (Canada) and the Australian International Development
Assistance Bureau comprises the Proceedings of the Workshop on Exotic Aquatic Introductions
into Asia, held in Darwin, Australia in June 1988.
It is inevitable that all countries in the region cannot be covered in a small Workshop,
primarily due to financial limitations. However, it is hoped that these Proceedings willcreate a
revitalization of interest in the region on the role of exotic species and help to address the
question more scientifically and objectively when future introductions are considered.
These Proceedings should be considered as the first of a set of documentations on this
complex issue, and therefore should not be considered as a complete review.
I am thankful to Mr. Jay Maclean, Secretary, Asian Fisheries Society, and Ms. Elsie Tech,
Executive Secretary of the Society for their help in the editing. The editing was clone mostly
when I was on an attachment to the Department of Zoology, National University of Singapore,
and I am grateful to Prof. T.J. Lam, and the NUS for giving me this opportunity.
Sena S. De Silva
vi
Address of Dr. Chua Thia-Eng
President of the Asian Fisheries Society
It is a pleasure and honour for me to address this important workshop on "Introduction of
Exotic Species in Asia". The Asian Fisheries Society is indeed grateful to all those who have
helped to make this workshop possible, especially to the Government of the Northern Territory,
Australia, for hosting this workshop, the Australian International Development Assistance
Bureau (AIDAB) for travel support, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) for
pre-workshop preparations and publication of workshop proceedings and other national agencies
that helped to bring many of our scientists to this gathering. The contribution of these
international and national agencies speaks for the importance of the subject matter that we will
be discussing in the next couple of days.
The issue on exotic species transfer is of international concern pertaining to the high risk of
introduction of diseases, disruptive effects on aquatic communities and environment as well as
the genetical degradation of host stocks. Not withstanding the above, introduction of exotic
species between countries will continue to occur as it has already been doing so in the past 3
decades, closely associated with aquaculture development, the increase of aquarium fish trade
and inland water body management.
Asia is one of the world's active centers involved in movement of fish from one nation to
another for decades without any effective regulatory control. Thus, the African cichlid,
Oreochromis mossambicus, abounds in most water bodies in Asia. Since its introduction the
golden snail (Ampullaria cyprinas) into the Philippines has become a nuisance to rice
cultivation. The water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) from South America has become a
problematic aquatic macrophyte, blocking waterways in lakes, rivers and choking fish ponds.
Introduced species have beneficial effects, too, especially in economic gain, to countries
which badly require foreign exchange earnings and a cheap fish protein supply. In fact, many of
the Chinese and Indian carps introduced into various nations in Asia have played a significant
role in increasing national aquaculture production.
Exotic species introduction is often initiated by fishery professionals who are either ignorant
or unconcerned of the risks involved as well as by commercial enterprises in the aquarium trade.
In most countries of Asia, there are sufficient legislative measures to control importation of
undesirable species. However, the inability to effectively implement legislative requirements has
given rise to easy entry of exotic species in the region.
Public awareness and strict implementation of regulatory measures in North America have
helped in curbing unregulated introductions. The establishment of mechanisms governing the
introduction of exotic species through international agreements like the "Code of practice to
reduce the risks of adverse effects arising from the introduction of non-indigenous species"
adopted by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the European
Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (ETFAC) represent the regional efforts in Europe. In
Asia, the Indo-Pacific Fisheries Council (IPFC) has expressed concern over past and present
introductions but places emphasis on the collection and exchange of information. Regulatory
measures are left to individual country's legislation.
The main purpose of this workshop is to objectively review the impacts of species transfer
in Asia taking into consideration the meager socioeconomic conditions of Asian nations and to
explore appropriate measures by which exotic species introduction can be best regulated. One
immediate impact of this workshop is a greater concern of fishery professionals like us who can
vii
help to promote national awareness of the issue and help develop appropriate strategies to
minimize the adverse effects of exotic species transfer.
In closing, I wish to thank the local secretariat, in particular Director Darryl Grey, for his
excellent local arrangements and time and effort put into the preparation of this workshop.
Thank you.
Address by the Chairman of the Workshop
We of the Asian Fisheries Society are grateful to the Australian International Development
Assistance Bureau for making this workshop possible.
I consider it a deep honour to be invited to Chair this workshop and wish to express my
gratitude to my fellow Councillors for bestowing this privilege and take this opportunity to
welcome all the participants to this workshop.
In keeping with one of the main objectives of the Asian Fisheries Society, to address key
issues pertaining to fisheries in the region, the Council at its Second Meeting in 1984
unanimously decided that the Introduction of Aquatic Organisms into the region needed careful
consideration. We were aware that this issue was also being addressed by some international
organizations amongst others, and the American Fisheries Society. In spite of these
considerations the Society felt a need to consider this issue; complex as it is from an Asian
context where the the socio-economic factors cannot be ignored and or separated from the
fisheries issues in general.
Initially, four Objectives for the Workshop were identified:
address the issue of aquatic introductions in the region,
evaluate the pros and cons of introductions hitherto made in the region,
develop guidelines/a code of ethics for future introductions, and
issue a policy statement on future introductions.
It is unlikely that we would be able to fulfill our objectives within the next three days. I consider
this workshop as the first step in the direction of achieving our objectives. In order to do so we
will have to address our minds to a few key points:
Do we have sufficient information/knowledge of the situation in each of the
countries in the region - if so how do we proceed to collect this information,
especially that in the 'grey literature'
Do we need to develop protocols for consideration by Governments in the region,
and if so what criteria should we use: should they take into account the socio-
economic factors, etc.
Are there recent examples from the region or elsewhere on proposed
introductions that impel us to think afresh?
Undoubtedly all of us would agree that we should not adopt, clause to clause, what has been
recommended as suitable for Northern America, Europe and or for that matter mainland
Australia. This is not because we want to be different but such a course of action would be self
defeating. If we were to do the former there would not have been a need to come to this lovely
city, Darwin. Equally, we have a lot to gain from their experiences.
ix