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The "dealer" would be defined as a firm or person whose
<br />income derives from live ornamental aquarium fishes.
<br />4. Urge that the importation of fishes for purposes of
<br />research not involving introduction into a natural ecosystem, or
<br />for display in public aquaria by individuals or organizations, be
<br />made under agreement with responsible government agencies.
<br />Such importers will be subject to investigatory procedures
<br />currently existing and/or to be developed, and species so
<br />imported shall be kept under conditions preventing escape or
<br />accidental introduction. Aquarium hobbyists should be en-
<br />couraged to purchase rare ornamental fishes through such
<br />importers. No fishes shall be released into any natural ecosys-
<br />tem upon termination of research or display.
<br />5. Urge that all species considered for release be prohibited
<br />and considered undesirable for any purposes of introduction
<br />into any ecosystem unless that species shall have been evalu•
<br />ated upon the following bases and found to be desirable:
<br />a. RATIONALE. Reasons for seeking an import should be
<br />clearly stated and demonstrated. It should be clearly noted
<br />what qualities are sought that would make the import more
<br />desirable than native forms.
<br />b. SEARCH. Within the qualifications set forth under RATI•
<br />ONALE, a search of possible contenders should be made,
<br />with a list prepared of those that appear most likely to
<br />succeed, and the favorable and unfavorable aspects of
<br />each species noted.
<br />c. PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT. This
<br />should go beyond the area of RATIONALE to consider
<br />impact on target aquatic ecosystems, general effect on
<br />game and food fishes or waterfowl, on aquatic plants and
<br />public health. The published information on the species
<br />should be reviewed and the species should be studied in
<br />preliminary fashion in its biotope. -
<br />d. PUBLICITY AND REVIEW. The subject should be en-
<br />tirely open and expert advice should be sought. It is at this
<br />point that thoroughness is in order. No importation is so
<br />urgent that it should not be subject to careful evaluation.
<br />e. EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH. If a prospective import
<br />passes the first four steps, a research program should be
<br />initiated by an appropriate agency or organization to test
<br />the import in confined waters (experimental ponds, etc.)
<br />i. EVALUATION OR RECOMMENDATION. Again public-
<br />ity is in order and complete reports should be circulated
<br />amongst interested scientists and presented for pub-
<br />lication.
<br />g.1NTRODUCTION. With favorable evaluation, the re-
<br />leases should be effected and monitored, with results pub-
<br />lished or circulated.
<br />Because animals do not respect political boundaries, it would
<br />seem that an international, national, and regional agency should
<br />be involved at the start and have the veto power at the end.
<br />Under this procedure there is no doubt that fewer introductions
<br />would be accomplished, but quality and not quantity is desired
<br />and many mistakes might be avoided.
<br />B. The Society encourages international, national, and re-
<br />gional natural resource agencies to endorse and follow the
<br />intent of the above position.
<br />C. The Society encourages international harmonization of
<br />guidelines, protocols, codes of practice, etc., as they apply to
<br />introduction of aquatic species.
<br />D. Fisheries professionals and other aquatic specialists are
<br />urged to become more aware of issues relating to introduced
<br />species.
<br />Literature Cited
<br />Alexander, G. R. 1977. Consumption of small trout by large predatory
<br />brown trout in the North Branch of the Au Sable River, Michigan.
<br />Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Research
<br />Report 1855:1-26.
<br />1979. Predators of fish in Coldwater streams. Pages 153-170
<br />in H. Clepper, ed. Predator•prey systems in fisheries management.
<br />SpoR Fishing Institute, Washington, DC
<br />Anderson, R. S. 1981. Food habits of selected non-native fishes:
<br />stomach contents. First annual performance report, Non•Native Fish
<br />Research Laboratory, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commis-
<br />sion, Boca Raton, FL. 16 pp.
<br />1982. Food habits of selected non-native fishes: stomach
<br />contents. Second annual performance report, Non-Native Fish
<br />Research Laboratory, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commis-
<br />sion, Boca Raton, FL. 22 pp.
<br />Chevassus, B. 1979. Hybridization in salmonids: results and perspec•
<br />fives. Aquaculture 17:113.128.
<br />Contreras-B. S., and M. A. Escalante-C. 1984. Distribution and
<br />known impacts of exotic fishes in Mexico. Pages 102.130 in W. R.
<br />Courtenay, Jr. and J. R. Stauffer, Jr., eds. Distribution, biology, and
<br />management of exotic fishes. The Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, Balti-
<br />more, MD. ~ =
<br />Courtenay, W. R., Jr., and C. R. Robins. 1973. Exotic aquatic orga-
<br />nisms in Florida with emphasis on fishes: a review and recommenda-
<br />tions. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 102:1-12.
<br />Grossman, E. J. 1984. Introduction of exotic fishes into Canada. Pages
<br />78.101 in W.R. Courtenay, Jr. and J. R. Stauffer, Jr., eds. Distribu-
<br />tion, biology, and management of exotic fishes. The Johns Hopkins
<br />Univ. Press, Baltimore, MD.
<br />Dangel, J. R., P.T. Macy, and F. C. Withler,1973. Annotated biblio-
<br />graphy of interspecific hybridization of fishes of the subfamily Salmo-
<br />ninae. U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA Technical Memoran-
<br />dum WNMFSFC-1.48 pp.
<br />Germany, R. D. 1977. Population dynamics of the blue tilapia and its
<br />effects on the fish populations of Trinidad Lake, Texas. Doctoral
<br />dissertation, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. 85 pp.
<br />Hickling, C. F. 1961. Tropical inland fisheries. John Wiley and Sons,
<br />New York, NY. 287 pp.
<br />Hogg, R. G. 1976. Ecology of fishes of the family Cichlidae introduced
<br />into the fresh waters of Dade County, Florida. Doctoral dissertation,
<br />University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL. 142 pp.
<br />Hoffman, G. L 1970. Intercontinental and transcontinental dissemina-
<br />tion and transfaunation of fish parasites with emphasis on whirling
<br />disease (Myxosomo cerebrolis). Am. Fish. Soc. Spec. Publ. 5:69-81.
<br />1981. Recently imported parasites of baitfishes and rela-
<br />tives. Pages 45-46 in Third annual proceeding Catfish Farmers of
<br />America research workshop. Las Vegas, NV.
<br />Hoffman, G. L and G. Schubert. 1984. Some parasites of exotic
<br />fishes. Pages 233-261 in W. R. Courtenay, Jr. and J. R. Stauffer, Jr.,
<br />eds. Distribution, biology, and management of exotic fishes. The
<br />Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, Baltimore, MD
<br />Knaggs, E. H. 1977. Status of the genus Tilopio in California's estuarine
<br />and marine waters. California-Nevada Wildlife Transactions
<br />1977:60-67.
<br />Kohler, C. C., and W. R. Courtenay, Jr.19$6. Regulating introduced
<br />aquatic species: a review of past initiatives. Fisheries 11(2):34-38.
<br />Kohler, C. C., and J. G. Stanley. 1984. A suggested protocol for
<br />evaluating proposed exotic fish introductions in the United States.
<br />Pages 387-406 in W. R. Courtenay, Jr. and J. R. Stauffer, Jr., eds.
<br />Distribution, biology, and management-of exotic fishes. The Johns
<br />Hopkins Univ. Press, Baltimore, MD
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