An evaluation of the role and impacts of alien finfish in Asian inland aquaculture

Asia dominates global aquaculture production accounting for over 80% of the total and the mainstay in Asian aquaculture is finfish. Over the years, Asia has experienced a number of inter‐continental and intra‐continental transfers/introductions/translocation of finfish species, between nations and watersheds, beyond their natural range of distribution, primarily for aquaculture development. In this article all such species are referred to as alien species. An attempt is made to evaluate the importance of the production of alien species in selected Asian nations, using statistics of the Food and Agriculture Organization. Also, negative effects, if any, based on literature surveys, of alien species in relation to displacement of indigenous species, and on biodiversity and/or genetic diversity together with associated pathogen transfers are evaluated. The major alien species, based on their significance to Asian inland aquaculture considered, are the tilapias, catfish, Chinese and Indian major carps and common carp. It is estimated that currently alien species account for nearly 12% of the cultured finfish production (2.6 million tonnes) in Asia, valued at US$ 2.59 billion, and the contribution exceeds 40% when Asian countries excluding China are taken into consideration. Inland finfish aquaculture in some Asian nations, such as Indonesia and the Philippines, is predominated by alien species, and in some others, e.g. Bangladesh and India, the contribution from alien species has been increasing steadily. It is suggested that overall alien finfish species have done little ecological harm to native flora and fauna. However, in the wake of increasing anthropogenic development taking place in watersheds the resulting environments are often made unconducive to indigenous species but not to some alien species, thereby potentially and indirectly making the latter invasive.     

Tilapia fisheries in Guangdong Province,China: Socio‐economic benefits,and threats on native ecosystems and economics

Tilapia is one of the groups of fish species most widely cultured globally. China has been the largest producer of tilapia in the world since 1990s. Guangdong Province produces almost 40% of all tilapia in China because of its suitable geography and weather conditions, and tilapia culture has brought considerable economic benefits. Unfortunately, many of the biological traits that make tilapia popular for culture also contribute to its success as an invader. Tilapia has invaded natural waters and has become the dominant fish in many rivers of Guangdong Province, causing economic loss in capture fisheries, and affecting native fish species, biodiversity and aquatic ecosystems. Poor fishery management, water quality degradation and biodiversity loss have all facilitated the tilapia invasion. Tilapia have filled the niches left vacant by now locally extinct native species resulting from environmental changes in freshwater ecosystems of the province. The introduction of tilapia has both advantages and disadvantages, which should be managed to use effectively the various tilapia species in aquaculture while controlling their spread in natural waters.     

遗传改良对世界水产养殖业发展的推动作用

随着全球水产品养殖产量快速增长，水产养殖业在近二十年间正快速替代捕捞业，成为满足人类对优质蛋白需求极具潜力的生产活动。世界水产品消费量近几十年来快速增长，水产品在人类食物系统中具有越来越重要的地位。遗传改良作为发展水产养殖业的关键环节而备受关注，长期以来，以选择育种和杂交育种为主要的育种方法，以生长速度、成活率等经济性状为主要改良的目标性状，对世界水产养殖业的发展发挥了基础性、先导性和战略性作用。随着人们对优质蛋白需求的不断增加以及“大食物观”概念的广泛普及，将水产品打造为更加高效的食物生产系统是大势所趋。但纵观全球，水产养殖业存在遗传改良种类不多、覆盖面不广、改良性状滞后于产业发展需求等问题，需要加强水产育种技术创新和品种培育，培育更多的遗传改良种，推进水产养殖业高质量发展。本文基于已有研究结果，结合渔业各类统计数据，对世界水产养殖业发展概况、重要养殖种遗传改良情况、水产育种技术应用、目标性状改良以及部分主要人工改良种产量数据进行整理概述，总结发展状况，分析存在问题，以期为水产种业研究以及产业高质量发展提供参考。     

Bio-economical and ethical impacts of alien finfish culture in European inland waters

Since 1989, and in comparison to the global trend, inland aquaculture production of European finfish has declined. To date, the yearly European freshwater aquaculture production is 371,727 tons, valued at over US$1 billion. Indigenous species accounted for less than one-third of the production, whereas alien species (a species that has been moved beyond its natural range of distribution) accounts for the remainder. However, in general, indigenous species command a higher market price. Currently, food quality and food safety are leading concerns of consumers, and European consumers are also becoming alert to environmentally detrimental practices. Therefore, to aim at economic sustainability, the sector needs to satisfy consumer expectations of environmentally friendly practices. It is believed that farming alien finfish species can threaten local biodiversity through escapes, and this represents a current environmental concern relative to aquaculture. In this context, an attempt is made in this paper to understand and quantify the impacts of alien finfish cultivation in European inland waters, and to suggest remedial measures.     

养殖水域抗生素抗性基因污染的研究概况与展望

在水产养殖中,抗生素是用来治疗细菌性疾病最有用的药物。但近些年的研究发现,过度使用抗生素,反而诱导产生了一系列带有抗性基因的致病菌,严重制约了水产养殖业的发展。本文以近15年来国内外相关研究的文献为依据,概括介绍了抗生素抗性基因(ARGs)的产生及其传播途径、ARGs污染的危害性、国内外ARGs污染研究现状及加强ARGs污染研究的必要性等4个方面的研究进展,围绕抗性基因的检测、ARGs的传播、扩散及作用机制和控制、消除ARGs的方法等方面进行了后续研究重点的展望,以期为我国水产养殖行业的可持续发展提供依据。     

中国综合水产养殖的发展历史、原理和分类

综合水产养殖是水产养殖的重要类型,它既包括同一水体内水生生物的混养,也包括水产养殖与同一水体或邻近区域进行的其他生产活动的结合。中国的稻田养鱼始于1 800年前,大规模的海水综合养殖始于公元1975年。目前中国开展的综合养殖模式有近百种,其依据的生态学原理主要有3个:通过养殖生物间的营养关系实现养殖废物的资源化利用;利用技术措施、养殖种类、养殖系统间功能互补或偏利作用平衡水质;养殖水体资源(时间、空间和饵料等)的充分利用。综合养殖系统可分为技术措施综合、养殖种类综合和系统综合三大类,其中系统综合类又可再分为水基系统综合和水基与陆基系统综合两个亚类。     

Achieving sustainable aquaculture: Historical and current perspectives and future needs and challenges

Important operational changes that have gradually been assimilated and new approaches that are developing as part of the movement toward sustainable intensive aquaculture production systems are presented via historical, current, and future perspectives. Improved environmental and economic sustainability based on increased efficiency of production continues to be realized. As a result, aquaculture continues to reduce its carbon footprint through reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Reduced use of freshwater and land resources per unit of production, improved feed management practices as well as increased knowledge of nutrient requirements, effective feed ingredients and additives, domestication of species, and new farming practices are now being applied or evaluated. Successful expansion into culture of marine species, both off and on shore, offers the potential of substantial increases in sustainable intensive aquaculture production combined with integrative efforts to increase efficiency will principally contribute to satisfying the increasing global demand for protein and food security needs.     

The Potential and Sustainability of Aquaculture in India

ABSTRACT

India is a very populous country with more than one billion people. In order to provide food for this growing population, serious environmental problems may result. Despite many benefits from the green, blue, and silver revolutions adopted in India, there has been much concern resulting from intensive agricultural practices that led to environmental problems in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Increasing demand for aquatic resources also caused inland fisheries to decrease over the past few decades. The location of aquaculture projects, landscape destruction, soil and water pollution by pond effluents, over-exploitation of important fish stocks, depletion in biodiversity, conflicts over agriculture and aquaculture among various stakeholder groups over resource and space allocation, and international fish trade controversies have threatened the long-term sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture industries. The subject of sustainable aquaculture has not been adequately projected in terms of current aquaculture practices aimed to boost a rural economy. This review briefly describes the key issues of aquaculture unsustainability in terms of intensive aquaculture, nutrient enrichment syndrome, soil and groundwater salinization, destruction of mangroves, loss of biodiversity, marine pollution and loss of fish stock, use of aquachemicals and therapeutics, hormone residues, etc. The strategies for sustainability have been highlighted with respect to rice-cum-fish culture, carp polyculture, integrated farming with livestock, rural aquaculture, intensification of small farms, wastewater-fed aquaculture, crop rotation, probiotics, feed quality, socioeconomic considerations, environmental regulations and fisheries acts, transboundary aquatic ecosystems, impact of alien species, ethical aspects of intensive aquaculture, responsible fisheries, and environmental impact assessment. A suggested model outlines the feedback mechanisms for achieving long-term sustainability through improved farm management practices, integrated farming, use of selective aquachemicals and probiotics, conservation of natural resources, regulatory mechanism, and policy instruments.     

Alien freshwater fish species in the Balkans—Vectors and pathways of introduction

Fish introductions, particularly in areas of high biological diversity and endemism, represent a major threat for biodiversity. In the Balkan Peninsula, 60 fish species have been introduced to date, of which 36 have become naturalized in inland waters. Since the Balkans are one of the world's 35 biodiversity hot spots, this large presence of alien fish species poses a serious threat for the stability of freshwater ecosystems and the survival of the native ichthyofauna and of aquatic biodiversity in general. The motivation for the introductions, and the historical timeline, varies among the Balkan states. Despite recent attempts to implement and align legislation aimed at preventing the introduction of potentially invasive species, and the implementation of rigorous controls of introductions and increased protection of open waters, the majority of current introductions remain intentional, primarily via aquaculture. This review article provides a historical overview of freshwater fish introductions, the motivation behind them and the current distribution of alien freshwater fishes in the Balkans. The ecological implications and future perspectives concerning alien fish species in the region are also discussed.     

The effects of introduced tilapias on native biodiversity

• 1. The common name ‘tilapia’ refers to a group of tropical freshwater fish in the family Cichlidae (Oreochromis, Tilapia, and Sarotherodon spp.) that are indigenous to Africa and the southwestern Middle East. Since the 1930s, tilapias have been intentionally dispersed worldwide for the biological control of aquatic weeds and insects, as baitfish for certain capture fisheries, for aquaria, and as a food fish. They have most recently been promoted as an important source of protein that could provide food security for developing countries without the environmental problems associated with terrestrial agriculture. In addition, market demand for tilapia in developed countries such as the United States is growing rapidly.
• 2. Tilapias are well‐suited to aquaculture because they are highly prolific and tolerant to a range of environmental conditions. They have come to be known as the ‘aquatic chicken’ because of their potential as an affordable, high‐yield source of protein that can be easily raised in a range of environments — from subsistence or ‘backyard’ units to intensive fish hatcheries. In some countries, particularly in Asia, nearly all of the introduced tilapias produced are consumed domestically; tilapias have contributed to basic food security for such societies.
• 3. This review indicates that tilapia species are highly invasive and exist under feral conditions in every nation in which they have been cultured or introduced. Thus, the authors have concluded that, despite potential or observed benefits to human society, tilapia aquaculture and open‐water introductions cannot continue unchecked without further exacerbating damage to native fish species and biodiversity. Recommendations include restricting tilapia culture to carefully managed, contained ponds, although exclusion is preferred when it is feasible. Research into culture of indigenous species is also recommended.

Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

European Non‐native Species in Aquaculture Risk Analysis Scheme – a summary of assessment protocols and decision support tools for use of alien species in aquaculture

The European Non‐native Species in Aquaculture Risk Analysis Scheme (ENSARS) was developed in response to European ‘Council Regulation No. 708/2007 of 11 June 2007 concerning use of alien and locally absent species in aquaculture’ to provide protocols for identifying and evaluating the potential risks of using non‐native species in aquaculture. ENSARS is modular in structure and adapted from non‐native species risk assessment schemes developed by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation and for the UK. Seven of the eight ENSARS modules contain protocols for evaluating the risks of escape, introduction to and establishment in open waters, of any non‐native aquatic organism being used (or associated with those used) in aquaculture, that is, transport pathways, rearing facilities, infectious agents, and the potential organism, ecosystem and socio‐economic impacts. A concluding module is designed to summarise the risks and consider management options. During the assessments, each question requires the assessor to provide a response and confidence ranking for that response based on expert opinion. Each module can also be used individually, and each requires a specific form of expertise. Therefore, a multidisciplinary assessment team is recommended for its completion.     

Grouper aquaculture: Asian success and Mediterranean trials

• 1. Grouper are of considerable economic value in tropical and subtropical regions and most particularly in south-east Asia. Moreover, it is in Asia, where this fish is highly prized, that the grouper farming began in the 1980s.
• 2. The organoleptic qualities of the groupers are not the only characteristics to be appreciated; in culture, their robustness in heavily populated conditions, as well as their rapid growth at elevated temperatures makes them a good species for aquaculture. However, it is, above all, market demand that is outstripping the supply of fish, which is motivating the expansion of grouper aquaculture.
• 3. At the present time, aquaculture is unable to satisfy demand. The chronic shortage of broodstock means that the alevins, destined for aquaculture, are taken mainly from natural habitats with the aid of fish traps, nets and cyanide, thus contributing to the destruction of south-east Asian reefs. Nevertheless, research is progressing and the number of species whose reproduction is totally controlled is increasing. It is in Taiwan that grouper aquaculture is at its most advanced with a total of five species being raised.
• 4. Aquaculture is divided into four stages, carried out by different farmers, allowing a more rapid turnover for each farmer and therefore a better financial return. On the other hand, in the Mediterranean at present time, there are no completely controlled grouper captive-breeding programmes. The first attempts at controlled breeding have been carried out since 1995 in Italy, Croatia and Greece. However, farming groupers in captivity, and in particular the control of their reproduction, poses numerous problems.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

When alien catfish meet—Resource overlap between the North American Ictalurus punctatus and immature European Silurus glanis in the Arno River (Italy)

Due to the increasing globalisation and ongoing introduction of alien species specifically regarding European freshwater ecosystems, native and already present alien species will be confronted with competitors with unknown outcomes. One such case is the situation of the European catfish Silurus glanis introduced in the Arno River (Central Italy), a species sought after by anglers, which is facing competition from the later introduced alien North American channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. Large catfish species are highly valued among anglers, but their interspecific interactions and potential ecosystem-level impacts are still poorly known. We used stomach contents and stable isotope analyses to study niche partitioning between these two alien catfish species, coexisting in the Arno River. The results suggest partial niche segregation, with immature S. glanis showing a narrower dietary and isotopic niche and a slightly higher trophic position than I. punctatus. Monitoring the catfish population sizes, trophic niches and effects on lower trophic levels are essential for future management and mitigation of their potential impacts on invaded freshwater ecosystems.     

CHINA'S ACCESSION TO THE WTO AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FISHERY AND AQUACULTURE SECTOR

ABSTRACT

This paper reviews recent developments in China's fishery and aquaculture sectors, as well as the policies affecting rural households in general and fisheries households in particular. It explores how China's policies may change as a result of the nation joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) in December 2001 and the likely impacts of these changes on China's fishery and aquaculture sector. It was found that the domestic fish markets are gradually integrating, suggesting that fish price shifts in one area will affect prices in most parts of the country. It was also found that, compared with the prices of other agricultural commodities, the domestic prices of most aquatic products are well below world prices. This suggests that exports of aquatic products would be able to expand now that the nation has joined the WTO and that fishers would gain from this move.     

我国渔业新技术、新品种引进现状及发展战略研究

建国以来,我国的渔业新技术、水产养殖新品种引进工作取得了令人注目的成就,先报引进各类渔业新技术及动、植物新品种上百项;为促进我国的水产事业发展做出了积极的贡献。本文简要总结、回顾了我国渔业新技术及水产养殖新品种引进工作的现状,找出了存在的主要问题,并对今后工作提出了一些建议,以供有关部门决策参考。     

中国水产苗种进口特征及其对养殖产业发展的影响分析——基于2013—2018年的数据

水产种业是水产养殖业的战略性、基础性核心产业,水产苗种引进是促进水产养殖业绿色发展的一个重要途径。中国水产苗种引进品种繁多,水产观赏动物成为新宠,通过分析2013—2018年水产苗种进口贸易数据,其主要特征为:进口额呈下降趋势,进口种类涉及24种,部分种类的进口频率达到100%,用于水产养殖的苗种和受精鱼卵进口额分别为14061.19×104美元和632.02×104美元。从进口额数据来看,小虾及对虾、鳗鱼、受精鱼卵及其他鱼种等主要进口苗种种类对水产养殖业发展的影响较大,其中鳗鱼增养殖业对进口鳗苗的依赖程度较高,平均依赖度为50.86%。提出构建养殖鱼类苗种进口预警机制,谋划养殖鱼类品种的替代策略,提高对虾苗种控制能力,做好水产苗种进口质量安全防范等建议,以保障水产养殖产业健康稳定发展。     

Strategies for the rehabilitation of the inland fisheries sector in Central Asia

Abstract The dismantling of the Soviet Union and the corresponding independence of the Central Asian states in the early 1990s had severe economic consequences for the Central Asian Region. The transition from command to free‐market economies was (and sometimes still is) accompanied by dramatic contractions in production in virtually all primary resource sectors. However, arguably the most catastrophic and ongoing declines in output were to be found in the fisheries sector. This study shows how a combination of ecological (most notably the introduction of alien invasive species and pollution), economic (increasing abstraction of water for irrigation and power generating purposes), social (increased impoverishment following the removal of employment guarantees) and governance (collapse of local management structures, decrease of support to the sector and deterioration of trade relationships with neighbouring countries) affected fisheries production and consumption in the Central Asian transition economies. In the light of these findings, some general observations as how this decline might be arrested or reversed are provided.     

中国深远海养殖发展方式研究

在渔业转型发展进程中,发展深远海养殖是突破生态环境和自然资源约束性挑战,实现新时期中国海水养殖业可持续发展的战略方向。基于联合国粮食及农业组织(FAO)关于深远海养殖发展的定义,结合中国海水养殖业发展水平和海域条件,对中国深远海养殖概念进行了界定。提出养殖品种选择、养殖系统构建、养殖海域规划是关系深远海养殖产业稳步有序发展的重要因素。在养殖品种选择方面,应重点考虑经济潜力、适应水温和养殖技术;在养殖系统构建上,分析比较了不同养殖系统应用于深远海养殖的适宜性、安全性和经济性;在养殖海域规划方面,应重点考虑养殖排放、环境承载力和海域条件。     

高效低碳——中国水产养殖业发展的必由之路

养殖种类不断增加,营养层次不断提高,集约化水平不断提升已成为我国水产养殖业总体发展的趋势,疾病流行、良种匮乏、污染严重、产品质量堪忧等诸多难题也随之而来。但从大尺度来审视,影响水产养殖近中期目标实现和可持续发展的主要问题则是水资源短缺、排污问题和产业发展对能源、鱼粉不断增大的需求。就产业主体而言,为保障我国的食物安全、实现我国CO₂减排目标,高效低碳模式是水产养殖业发展的必由之路。对未来10年甚或更长时期我国水产养殖发展目标的实现还会主要依靠一些相对简单且易被大众掌握的新技术的应用。积极发展碳汇渔业,特别是海水大型藻类和滤食性贝类的养殖,是实现水产养殖产业总体上走高效低碳道路的结构性保障。高效低碳养殖模式的建立需要大水域协同生产机制的体制保障,需要政府加强对养殖污染物排放监管的法律保障,需要生态学与经济学结合的学科保障。     

山东省水产养殖外来物种调查研究

外来物种(Aliem species)是指在某地区或生态系统原来不存在，由于人类活动以及与人类活动有关而引进的物种。近年来，山东省先后引进近百种水产养殖外来物种，为促进山东省的水产事业发展做出了积极的贡献。作者通过3年时间，对山东省近年水产养殖外来物种情况进行了全面地调查研究，简要总结了水产养殖外来物种现状，找出了存在的主要问题，并对今后工作提出了一些建议，以供有关部门决策参考。