Assessment of impact of the introduction of exotic fish species in north-east Thailand

Abstract. Within the framework of a fisheries project in north-east Thailand, project MK/FSPC/069 entitled ‘The Fish Seed Production Centre, North East Thailand’, an assessment was carried out of the ecological impact of introducing exotic fish species (common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), and Chinese and Indian carps). For the assessment, the protocol of Kohler & Stanley (1984) was followed, covering feasibility of introduction, acclimatization potential, potential impact, and control potentials. Regarding the (ongoing) use of the proposed exotic species in aquaculture, it was concluded that so far no clear ecological impact has been reported from escapes to open water; the use of the exotic species has shown to be highly beneficial from a 9 socio-economic point of view. Regarding the proposed introduction of the exotic species into public waters (natural lakes and man-made reservoirs), it was concluded that earlier releases of these species in north-east Thailand did not provoke severe ecological impact in terms of deterioration of aquatic ecosystems. Incidental cases of minor ecological impact were reported for common carp and nile tilapia. Indications were obtained for niche competition between Chinese and Indian carps and indigenous carps, while similar niche competition was concluded for bighead carp, Aristichthys nobilis (Richardson), and indigenous pelagic zooplankton feeders. Observing the prolific development of the Nile tilapia in a number of reported cases, it was recommended not to include this species in stocking programmes for public water bodies, until more risk assessments are available.     

中国水产养殖种类组成、不投饵率和营养级

根据1950–2014年水产养殖种(类)有关统计和调研数据,并在对养殖投饵率、饲料中鱼粉鱼油比例、各类饵料(配合饲料、鲜杂鱼/低值贝类/活鱼、天然饵料等)营养级等基本参数进行估算的基础上,研究分析了中国水产养殖种类组成、生物多样性、不投饵率和营养级的特点及其变化。结果表明:中国水产养殖结构相对稳定,变化较小,其显著特点是种类多样性丰富、优势种显著、营养层次多、营养级低、生态效率高、生物量产出多。其中:(1)养殖种类296个、品种143个,合计为439个。种类组成区域差异明显,淡水养殖鱼类占绝对优势,如2014年草鱼、鲢鱼、鳙鱼、鲤鱼、鲫鱼和罗非鱼排名前6个种类的养殖占淡水养殖产量69.6%,其次为甲壳类、其他类、贝类及藻类,而海水养殖则以贝藻类为主,如2014年牡蛎、蛤、扇贝、海带、贻贝和蛏6个种(类)的养殖占海水养殖产量71.3%,其次为甲壳类、鱼类及其他类;(2)养殖种类多样性特征显著,与世界其他主要水产养殖国家相比,独为一支,具较高的多样性、丰富度和均匀度,发展态势良好;(3)由于养殖方式从天然养殖向投饵养殖转变,不投饵率呈明显下降趋势,从1995年90.5%降至2014年53.8%(淡水35.7%,海水83.0%),但与世界平均水平相比,仍保持较高的水准;(4)与世界相比,营养级低且较稳定。由于配合饲料的广泛使用及其鱼粉鱼油使用量减少,近年营养级略有下降,从2005年较高的2.32降至2014年2.25(淡水2.35,海水2.10)。营养级金字塔由4级构成,以营养级2为主,近年占70%,表明其生态系统有较多的生物量产出。中国水产养殖未来发展需要遵循绿色、可持续和环境友好的发展理念,探讨适宜的、特点各异的新生产模式,发展以养殖容量为基础的生态系统水平的水产养殖管理,建设环境友好型的水产养殖业,为保障国家食物安全、促进生态文明建设作出更大贡献。     

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。     

Effects of modified pond management on limnological parameters in small‐scale aquaculture ponds in mountainous Northern Vietnam

In mountainous Northern Vietnam, traditional pond aquaculture is part of the integrated farming activity contributing to food safety and to income generation for small‐scale farmers of ethnic minorities. Traditional pond management consists of a polyculture of macro‐herbivorous grass carp with 3–5 other fish species that are cultured in small ponds with constant water flow through. The main limitations to production are species‐specific mass mortalities of grass carp, a poor feed base especially for all species but grass carp, and poor water quality. In this study, we compared the traditional pond management to a semi‐intensive pond management that was based on the traditional management system but included changes designed by researchers to increase fish production. The modifications consisted of water inflow control, supplemental fertilization and feeding, and a polyculture dominated by common carp. The changes in management significantly reduced the turbidity and increased oxygen supply, as well as the natural food base within the pond. These changes in pond management provide farmers with the possibility to improve their pond aquaculture scheme and overcome previous limitations.     

The common carp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis> in Croatia (Danube and Adriatic basins): a historical review

This review provides the first historical account of the ecology and biology of common carp Cyprinus carpio in the Danube and Adriatic basins of Croatia, and emphasises the species’ economic relevance and management implications. As a semi-native species that is native to the Danube but translocated across the Adriatic Basin, carp plays an important role for aquaculture, recreational and artisanal fisheries. However, original strains have now disappeared, and because of genetic pollution in inland waters there is an increasing demand for restoring populations of the now rare and threatened wild carp, making conservation measures a priority. Translocations of carp across water bodies of the Adriatic Basin mostly for food supply did not prove successful in the long term, as the resulting ecological impacts may have been higher than the expected economic advantages. Measures for the prevention of further (uncontrolled) carp re-stocking are therefore necessary and this will require closer collaboration between scientists and environmental managers.     

Negative Impact on the Aquatic Ecosystems of the State of Morelos, Mexico from Introduced Aquarium and Other Commercial Fish

Of the 22 fish species presently inhabiting the waters of the state of Morelos, México, more than half (64%) have been introduced, mainly for fisheries and ornamental aquaculture purposes. Even though there are other significant problems such as pollution, eutrophication and drought, we found that fish introductions have caused the worst ecological impacts. These problems stem from a general lack of knowledge regarding the characteristics, importance and appropriate use and management of aquatic resources. Conservational actions are proposed.     

生物絮团技术对异育银鲫生长性能和抗性的影响

为研究生物絮团技术(Biofloc Technology,BFT)在沿海滩涂鱼类养殖中的应用效果,本实验以滩涂主要养殖种类——异育银鲫(Carassius auratus gibelio)为研究对象,按照BFT养殖模式(BFT组,不换水,只补存蒸发掉或取样部分的水分)和一般养殖模式(对照组,每日换水1次,每次换水1/4~1/3)分别饲养,测定各处理组异育银鲫的生长指标、消化酶活性和免疫相关酶活性,应用实时荧光定量PCR法定量分析热休克蛋白HSP70的相对表达,人工感染试验对比分析BFT养殖模式组和一般养殖模式组异育银鲫生长性能和抗性的变化。结果显示:(1)BFT组异育银鲫增重率、特定生长率和存活率均高于对照组(P0.01),肥满度、脏体比和肝体比与对照组间无显著差异(P0.05);(2)BFT组异育银鲫肠道中淀粉酶、脂肪酶和胃蛋白酶活性显著高于对照组(P0.05),分别提高了53.10%、28.10%和17.99%;(3)BFT组异育银鲫体表黏液中超氧化物歧化酶活性、血清中总抗氧化能力和溶菌酶活性高于对照组(P0.01);(4)BFT组脾、肾、肝和鳃中热休克蛋白HSP70的表达量分别上调了1.29倍、1.34倍、1.87倍和1.68倍;(5)嗜水气单胞菌(Aeromonas hydrophilia)人工感染试验证实,BFT组异育银鲫抗细菌感染能力显著增强。研究表明,BFT养殖模式适于异育银鲫养殖,可促进鱼体生长,增强其应激能力和抗病力。     

Managing non‐native fish in the environment

Non‐native fishes are frequently used to enhance aquaculture and fisheries; if introduced into the wider environment, then the majority will have negligible effects on native biodiversity. However, a minority will become invasive, causing adverse ecological effects, and so management actions may be needed to minimize their dispersal and impacts. These actions include eradication attempts from specific waters or well‐defined spatial areas, population control by suppression (e.g. through removal programmes) and containment of existing populations to prevent their further spread. These remedial actions have generally only been undertaken across large spatial areas in developed countries; experience suggests a fundamental constraint is a lack of selective removal methods that target the non‐native fish species only. For example, eradication methods tend to be limited to low technology, ‘scorched‐earth’ techniques (e.g. biocide chemicals) whose use is generally constrained to relatively small and enclosed water bodies. Risk management of non‐native fishes should ensure that actions taken are commensurate with the level of risk posed by that species in the environment; although pre‐introduction risk assessment schemes have been developed, there remains a lack of decision support tools for post‐introduction situations. Although this inhibits the management of non‐native fishes in the environment, control programmes such as those against common carp Cyprinus carpio in Australia and topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva in England and Wales suggest there is potential for invasions to be managed and controlled within large spatial areas, even if their eradication may not be feasible.     

Investigations of dry matter and fat content in carp species smoked by hot and cold methods

In recent years the freshwater fish market has required more processed goods, as young consumers purchase ready-to-cook food products. In Middle European aquaculture systems carp are the main species. The appearance of new species (African catfish, trout, salmon), as well as the improved import possibilities of value-added fish products have introduced new challenges for fish farmers. In order to maintain the share of carps in fish sales, it is indispensable to develop up-to-date products that meet the needs of present generations. It is necessary to find processing methods that remove the fish bone and the off flavours occurring in Cyprinids. Smoking of carp has a strong tradition in the region, thus there are advantages to the development of smoked carp products, mainly in the form of boned fillets. The present study investigates two smoking methods aimed at ensuring basic information for product innovation. Analyses of the variation of weight, dry matter and lipid content during hot and cold smoking are presented for the case of three species: the common, silver, and grass carp. To determine the most acceptable products, the paper details the results of organoleptic tests, in which five characteristics (appearance, consistence, flavour, smell, and succulence) were investigated. Evaluation results indicate that the hot-smoked carp products are more acceptable, therefore it is hoped that these products, packed in a modified atmosphere, will achieve a strong market share in the near future.     

Review of trends in the development of European inland aquaculture linkages with fisheries

Aquaculture is a multifaceted, dynamic food production sector in Europe. The average annual growth rate of aquaculture production in Western Europe was 5.5% between 1988 and 1998, while in Eastern Europe production declined by 56% during the same period. The main growth in aquaculture production has taken place in the marine environment, particularly in the expanding salmon, Salmo salar L., industry of Northern Europe. Inland aquaculture only contributed 19% of the total aquaculture production in 1998. Trout in Western Europe, and common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., in Eastern Europe are the dominant species in inland aquaculture. Inland fisheries production has been stagnant in Western Europe and has declined considerably in Eastern Europe. The importance of recreational fisheries is increasing all over Europe, although no reliable data are available on angler catches. The major interactions between aquaculture and fisheries are pollution by untreated effluents from farms and impacts on indigenous fish stocks. The conflict is decreasing as more advanced systems are used in inland aquaculture, including water recirculation and effluent treatment. The positive benefit of aquaculture is that the sector supports extensive stocking programmes in commercial and recreational fisheries all over Europe.     

Deep learning-based appearance features extraction for automated carp species identification

Fish species identification is vital for aquaculture and fishery industries, stock management of water bodies and environmental monitoring of aquatics. Traditional fish species identification approaches are costly, time consuming, expert-based and unsuitable for large-scale applications. Hence, in this study, a deep learning neural network as a smart, real-time and non-destructive method was developed and applied to automate the identification of four economically important carp species namely common carp (Cyprinus carpio), grass carp (Ctenopharingodon idella), bighead carp (Hypophtalmichthys nobilis) and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). The obtained results proved that our approach, evaluated through 5-fold cross-validation, achieved the highest possible accuracy of 100 %. The achieved high level of classification accuracy was due to the ability of the suggested deep model to build a hierarchy of self-learned features, which was in accordance with the hierarchy of these fish’s identification keys. In conclusion, the proposed convolutional neural network (CNN)-based method has a single and generic trained architecture with promising performance for fish species identification.     

国外发展中国家水产养殖中的环境问题

对调查所获的亚洲、非洲和南美洲的20个国外发展中国家最常见的水产养殖状况、所产生的不利影响和急需的对策支持等数据进行了分析。结果显示,目前的养殖品种至少有90种,表现出较高的多样性。亚洲的水产养殖活动最为明显。除泰国外,所有国家的食粮型养殖品种均高于商业型养殖品种。水产养殖带来的对环境最主要的不利影响为废水污染、环境破坏、药物残留和亲苗掠夺;逃逸灾害、疾病扩散、饵鱼滥捕和生物误捕次之。为消除这些不利影响,这些发展中国家迫切需要在技术更新、科学研究、教育培训和政策扶持等对策方面得到有效的支持。     

Introduced and translocated fish species in the inland waters of Greece

Over the last 7 decades, 23 exotic fish species have been introduced into the inland waters of Greece. Some introductions were deliberately planned to take advantage of particular ecological or economic qualities of the species concerned. These include rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), Pacific salmon, Oncorhynchus sp., vendace, Coregonus lavaretus (L.), grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella (Valenciennes), and silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Valenciennes). Other introductions, such as that of pumpkinseed, Lepomis gibbosus (L.), and false rasbora, Pseudorasbora parva (Temminck & Schlegel), were unintentional. Further transfers were made of species between various basins within the country, including common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., tench, Tinca tinca (L.), crucian carp, Carassius auratus gibelio (Bloch), bitterling, Rhodeus amarus (Bloch), and Aristotle's catfish, Silurus aristotelis Garman. Some species have become fully acclimatized and have built up important populations. In other cases, the transfers and introductions have had considerable negative impacts, particularly where introduced species have outcompeted native forms, as in the cases of the mosquito fish, Gambusia affinis (Baird & Girard), versus Greek toothcarp, Valencia letourneuxi (Sauvage), in the western Greek marshes, and of Aristotle's catfish versus the wels, Silurus glanis L., in Lake Volvi.     

Introduction of non-native freshwater fish can certainly be bad

In this paper, we respond to Gozlan's views of the introduction of freshwater fish, as we strongly disagree with his view and approach. We demonstrate that many real-world examples of freshwater fish introductions have catastrophic ecological consequences. We detail a few noteworthy examples, such as those of the Nile perch, carp, tilapias, catfishes, and the zebra mussel. We discuss within-nation introductions, and we explore several related problems, such as hybridization and spread of pathogens and parasites. We propose that Gozlan's analysis is biased, as more reliable data on impacts that are already widespread are urgently needed, mainly in the biologically richest areas of the world. Thus, we continue to advocate the precautionary principle, because species introductions, once established, are largely irreversible.     

基于鱼体背部弯曲潜能算法的四种主养鱼类识别

以四种主养淡水鱼鲫(Carassius auratus)、草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)、团头鲂(Megalobrama amblycephala)、鲤(Cyprinus carpio)为例,提出一种基于图像处理技术的鱼种类自动识别方法。首先通过鱼体信息采集系统获取待识别鱼体图像,并对其进行灰度化与二值化,得到鱼体轮廓信息;然后采用邻域边界算法对鱼体的轮廓进行提取,根据轮廓曲线建立鱼体背部轮廓数学模型;最后根据轮廓模型,采用鱼体背部弯曲潜能算法对不同种类鱼体样本的背部弯曲潜能值进行计算和聚类统计,得到不同鱼类样本的背部弯曲潜能值分布区间,从而通过比对待识别鱼体背部弯曲潜能值的区间实现对不同鱼类的自动识别。对四种主养鱼类的实验测试结果表明,对团头鲂的识别精度可以达到100%,对鲫、鲤和草鱼的识别精度达到96%,基本上能准确实现四种鱼体的分类识别,具有较好的实际应用价值。     

Scientific uncertainty and the assessment of risks posed by non-native freshwater fishes

The introduction of non‐indigenous plants, animals and pathogens is a pressing global environmental challenge. Although not all introduced species become established and the fraction of those that do often have little appreciable effect on their new ecosystems, many others exert significant ecological, evolutionary and economic impacts. Stimulating further debate, Gozlan [Fish and Fisheries (2008) Vol. 9, pp. 106–115] argued that the majority of intentional freshwater fish introductions associated with aquaculture (fish species providing societal benefits) have not been reported as having an ecological impact. We find little to argue with his suggestion that low risk of ecological impact coupled with high market value encourages further introductions. But do we have an adequate understanding of the ecological risks associated with fish introductions to support such decisions? Indeed, resource managers and decision makers require some scientific knowledge to support their management actions; without this information, a precautionary approach is the only sensible course of action. The precautionary approach implies that the lack of scientific certainty is reason enough for postponing intentional introduction of non‐native species to avoid potentially serious or irreversible harm to the environment. Here, we suggest that we actually know very little about ecological impacts associated with fish introductions and that it would be therefore wholly inappropriate to equate a lack of data with a conclusion of ‘no impact’. We discuss four major challenges for enhancing the assessment of risks posed by non‐native freshwater fishes in the face of scientific uncertainty and highlight research opportunities and some alternative approaches for confronting these challenges in the future.     

Effects of introduction of common carp, Cyprinus carpio (L.), on the pond ecology and growth of fish in polyculture

The effects of introduction of common carp, Cyprinus carpio (L.). in polyculture with major Indian carps and silver carp were studied in fertilized and fed earthen ponds in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Bottom-dwelling common carp were found to exert an influence on the quality and quantity of planktonic food organisms. The presence of common carp significantly increased (P < 0.05) the growth of other carps including the bottom-feeder mrigal. Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton). A significantly higher fish yield (P < 0.05) was observed in the fish ponds containing common carp when the combined yields of all species in three treatments were compared.     

Economic efficiency and optimum stocking densities in fish polyculture: an application of data envelopment analysis (DEA) to Chinese fish farms

Polyculture is commonly practiced in pond aquaculture where several fish species are reared together, creating a multi-output production structure. This study applied a nonparametric data envelopment analysis (DEA) technique for multiple outputs to: (1) measure economic or ‘revenue' efficiency and its technical and allocative components for a sample of Chinese polyculture fish farms; and (2) derive the optimum stocking densities for different fish species. The mean economic efficiency was estimated to be 0.74. Technical inefficiencies accounted for most of the production inefficiencies in Chinese fish farms. On average, farmers should increase grass carp and decrease black carp stocking rates. Smaller farms and those from the developed regions were found to be relatively more technically and economically efficient.     

不同鲤养殖模式生物絮团系统中鱼体的生长及水质

为了探明不同鲤养殖模式生物絮团系统中鱼体的生长及水质变化情况。采用陆基围隔法,分别设置了鲤单养、鲤+鳙二元混养及鲤+鳙+鲢三元混养3种鲤养殖模式,每种模式设3个重复,测定了鲤不同养殖模式下鱼体的生长及水质参数,实验共进行90 d。结果显示,与单养模式相比,二元混养和三元混养鲤的存活率和鱼体蛋白质效率均显著偏高,而其总饲料系数则显著偏低。3种养殖模式中鲤肌肉的水分和粗脂肪含量相互之间差异均不显著,三元混养模式鲤肌肉的粗蛋白和灰分含量均显著高于单养模式。在3种养殖模式生物絮团系统中,生物絮团形成量与水温之间在19.3~28.5°C范围内呈显著的正相关。整个实验过程中,二元混养和三元混养水体的总氨氮、亚硝酸态氮、总无机氮、正磷酸盐及总悬浮颗粒物含量均低于单养模式,而硝酸态氮、总碱度、有机悬浮颗粒物及叶绿素a含量均高于单养模式,除叶绿素a之外,其余水质参数相互之间差异均不显著。研究表明,与传统的混养系统相似,在生物絮团养殖系统中,符合生物学原则的混养模式同样能够有效发挥养殖系统的生态功能,提高养殖效率。     

中国鲤育种的主要方法、遗传解析及展望

水产种业是水产养殖业发展的基础,是渔业战略性、基础性核心产业,也是保障未来养殖业绿色、健康发展的核心竞争力。随着水产业全球化、市场化的发展,我国种业正面临着前所未有的机遇与挑战。特别是随着生物技术的快速发展,水产育种也由传统的选择育种和杂交育种,发展至细胞工程育种、分子标记辅助育种、全基因组选择育种、分子设计育种和基因组编辑等精准设计育种。水产动物重要经济性状的基础研究及其遗传改良技术的创建驱动着我国水产种业的蓬勃发展,截止2022年,通过全国水产原种和良种审定委员会审定并由农业农村部公告的水产新品种就有266个,其中鲤新品种数量最多,为31个,表明鲤育种工作卓有成效。本文重点回顾了我国鲤的种质和基因组资源现状,鲤的主要品种及其育种方法;简要介绍了鲤生长、抗病、体色、饲料转化率等经济性状关联的遗传研究进展,并由此提出了新时代背景下鲤种业的发展方向和措施建议,以期为我国鱼类育种提供借鉴。