New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts
Shoot first, and then ask questions: a look at aquarium fish imports
and invasiveness in New Zealand
R. M. McDowall
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric
Research Limited
P.O. Box 8602
Christchurch, New Zealand
email: r.mcdowall@niwa.co.nz
Abstract A risk analysis is being undertaken of threats
to natural ecosystems in New Zealand from importation of aquarium fish. The
literature on invasiveness reveals global concern about risks from introduced
species, though the ecological bases for understanding risk potential seem
imprecise and often conflicting. Moreover, whereas some principles espoused
may allow identification of species that are high or low risk, these extremes
form a continuum wherein the likelihood of establishment cannot be quantified.
The likelihood that species, which establish, become seriously invasive is
also not quantifiable. Responsible stewardship of natural ecosystems requires
application of the precautionary principle. The number of fish species in
the global aquarium trade is probably >5000. Many are poorly known, some
undescribed, taxonomic authority for some species is obscure, and identification
is problematic, especially of juveniles that lack diagnostic characters.
Importation of aquarium fish is managed by the Ministry of Agriculture and
Forestry (MAF), under the Biosecurity Act 1993. MAF’s list of species approved
for importation as aquarium fish contains c. 280 names; 178 of these names
are genera, any species of which are allowed entry under the MAF protocols,
e.g., the cyprinid genus Barbus, of which there are >820 species in the
international database FISHBASE. Many listed species have never been imported,
which would seem to bring them under provisions of the Hazardous Substances
and New Organisms Act 1998. In practice this does not seem to be happening,
suggesting that a review of protocols is needed to ensure that the law is
being administered correctly.
Keywords new organisms; aquarium fish; biosecurity;
invasiveness
M03058; Received 18 July 2003; accepted 18 November 2003; Online publication
date 3 August 2004
New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 2004, Vol. 38:
503-510
0028-8330/04/3803-0503 $7.00 © The Royal Society of New Zealand
2004
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