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Position of American Fisheries Society on I~tred-aFtie~s-ef
<br />£xet-ie Introduced' Aquatic Species
<br />Our purpose is to formulate a broad mechanism for plan-
<br />ning, regulating, implementing, and monitoring all intro-
<br />ductions of e~cetie aquatic species.
<br />Some introductions of species into ecosystems in which
<br />they are not native have been successful (e.g., coho salmon
<br />and striped bass) and others unfortunate (e.g., common carp
<br />and walking catfish).
<br />Species not native to an ecosystem will be termed ~-
<br />etie-=' "introduced." Some introductions are in some sense,
<br />planned and purposeful for management reasons; others
<br />are accidental or are simply ways of disposing of unwanted
<br />pets or research organisms.
<br />It is recommended that the policy of the American Fish-
<br />eries Society be:
<br />1. Encourage exec-ie fish importers, farmers, dealers, and
<br />hobbyists to prevent and discourage the accidental or pur-
<br />posefulintroduction of e.,,~ aquatic s ecies into their local
<br />ecosystems.
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<br />2. Urge that no city, county, state, rovince, or federal
<br />agency introduce, or allow to be introduced, any exetie spe-
<br />cies into any waters within its jurisdiction which might con-
<br />taminate any waters outside its jurisdiction without official
<br />sanction of the exposed jurisdiction.
<br />3. Urge that only ornamental aquarium Eish dealers be
<br />permitted to import such fishes for sale or distribution to
<br />hobbyists. The "dealer" would be defined as a firm or per-
<br />son whose income derives from live ornamental aquarium
<br />fishes.
<br />4. Urge that the importation of e*eEie fishes for purposes
<br />of research not involving introduction into a natural eco-
<br />system, or for display in public aquaria by individuals or
<br />organizations, be made under agreement with responsible
<br />governmental agencies. Such importers will be subject to
<br />'Words underlined are new.
<br />investigatory procedures currently existing and/or to be de-
<br />veloped, and species so imported shall be kept under con-
<br />ditions preventing escape or accidental introduction. Aquar-
<br />ium hobbyists should be encouraged to import rare
<br />ornamental fishes through such importers. No fishes shall
<br />be released into any natural ecosystem upon termination of
<br />research or display.
<br />5. Urge that all speciesof-e~t~~ considered for release
<br />be prohibited and considered undesirable for any purposes
<br />of introduction into any ecosystem unless that fish species
<br />shall have been evaluated upon the following bases and
<br />found to be desirable:
<br />a. RATIONALE. Reasons for seeking an import should
<br />be clearly stated and demonstrated. It should be clearly
<br />noted what qualities are sought that would make the
<br />import more desirable than native forms.
<br />b. SEARCH. Within the qualifications set forth under RA-
<br />TIONALE, asearch of possible contenders should be
<br />made, with a list prepared of those that appear most
<br />likely to succeed, and the favorable and unfavorable
<br />aspects of each species noted.
<br />c. PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT. This
<br />should go beyond the area of rationale to consider
<br />impact vn target aquatic ecosystems, generally effect
<br />on game and food fishes or waterfowl, on aquatic plants
<br />and public health. The published information on the
<br />species should be reviewed and the species should be
<br />studied in 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
<br />at this point that thoroughness is in order. No impor-
<br />tation is so urgent that it should not be subject to
<br />careful evaluation.
<br />e. EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH. If a prospective import
<br />passes the first four steps, a research program should
<br />be initiated by an appropriate agency or organization
<br />to test the import in confined waters (experimental
<br />ponds, etc.).
<br />f. EVALUATION OR RECOMMENDATION. Again
<br />publicity is in order and complete reports should be
<br />circulated amongst interested scientists and presented
<br />for publication.
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<br />g. INTRODUCTION. With favorable evaluation, the re-
<br />lease should be effected and monitored, with results
<br />published or circulated.
<br />Because animals do not respect political boundaries, it
<br />would seem that an international, national, and regional
<br />agency should e:~ be involved at the start e~ and have
<br />the veto power at the end. Under this procedure there is
<br />no doubt that fewer exetie introductions would be accom-
<br />plished, but quality and not quantity is desired and many
<br />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 />March -April 1986 41
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