Management of Freshwater Fish Incursions a Review
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Management of freshwater fish i ncursions a review R. Ayres and P. Clunie Management of freshwater fish incursions: a review Renae Ayres Pam Clunie Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research 123 Brown Street, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084 2010 An IA CRC Project Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this report reflect those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian Government or the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre. The material presented in this report is based on sources that are believed to be reliable. Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of the report, the authors give no warranty that the said sources are correct and accept no responsibility for any resultant errors contained herein, any damages or loss whatsoever caused or suffered by any individual or corporation. Published by: Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre. Postal address: University of Canberra, ACT 2600. Office Location: University of Canberra, Kirinari Street, Bruce ACT 2617. Telephone: (02) 6201 2887 Facsimile: (02) 6201 2532 Email: [email protected] Internet: http://www.invasiveanimals.com ISBN: 978-1-921777-20-2 Web ISBN: 978-1-921777-21-9 © Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre 2010 This work is copyright. The Copyright Act 1968 permits fair dealing for study, research, information or educational purposes. Selected passages, tables or diagrams may be reproduced for such purposes provided acknowledgement of the source is included. Major extracts of the entire document may not be reproduced by any process. This document should be cited as: Ayres R and Clunie P (2010). Management of freshwater fish incursions: a review. PestSmart Toolkit publication, Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, Canberra, Australia. ii Invasive Animals CRC Contents Acknowledgements ........................................................................ vi Summary ...................................................................................... 1 Scope .......................................................................................... 3 Aim ............................................................................................. 3 Approach ............................................................................................. 3 Outline ............................................................................................. 3 1. Introduction ............................................................................... 5 1.1 What is an alien species? ................................................................. 5 1.2 Alien fish introductions in freshwater ecosystems ................................ 5 1.2.1 Alien fish introductions in Australian freshwater ecosystems ..................... 6 1.3 Reasons for the introduction of alien freshwater fish ........................... 15 1.3.1 Reasons for the introduction of alien freshwater fish in Australia ............. 16 1.4 The invasion process ..................................................................... 17 1.4.1 Stages of invasion ........................................................................ 17 1.4.2 Factors influencing invasion success ................................................. 18 1.5 Impacts of alien freshwater fish ....................................................... 19 1.5.1 Environmental impacts .................................................................. 20 1.5.2 Economic impacts ........................................................................ 20 1.5.3 Social impacts ............................................................................. 21 1.6 Management of alien species .......................................................... 22 1.6.1 Early detection ........................................................................... 23 1.6.2 Rapid assessment ........................................................................ 24 1.6.3 Rapid response ........................................................................... 25 1.7 Key conclusions ........................................................................... 26 2. Review of international approaches to alien fish incursions ................... 27 2.1 Conventions and programs ............................................................. 27 2.2 International approaches to new alien freshwater fish incursions ............ 30 2.2.1 Canada ....................................................................................... 30 2.2.2 United States of America ............................................................... 32 2.2.3 The Great Lakes .......................................................................... 35 2.2.4 South America ............................................................................ 37 2.2.5 Great Britain .............................................................................. 37 2.2.6 European Union .......................................................................... 39 2.2.7 Africa ....................................................................................... 40 2.2.8 Asia ......................................................................................... 41 2.2.9 New Zealand .............................................................................. 42 2.3 Common challenges of alien species management ................................ 45 2.4 Key conclusions ........................................................................... 47 3. Existing prevention, detection and management programs and tools in Australia 49 3.1 Legislation .................................................................................. 49 Management of freshwater fish incursions: a review iii 3.2 Rapid response procedures ............................................................. 52 3.3 Management plans and strategies ..................................................... 53 3.4 Surveillance programs ................................................................... 54 3.5 Community education ................................................................... 54 3.6 Reporting systems ........................................................................ 55 3.7 Risk assessment/decision support procedure ...................................... 56 3.8 Management options ..................................................................... 62 3.8.1 The drought: a unique opportunity for alien freshwater fish management? . 67 3.8.2 The problems of alien freshwater fish disposal .................................... 67 3.9 Past eradication and control programs in Australia ............................... 68 3.10 Key conclusions ........................................................................... 84 4. Review of international alien freshwater fish containment methods ........ 87 4.1 Physical barriers .......................................................................... 88 4.1.1 Barrier screens ........................................................................... 88 4.1.2 Rotating drum screens .................................................................. 88 4.1.3 Rotating travelling screens ............................................................. 89 4.1.4 Barrier nets or fences ................................................................... 89 4.1.5 Floating curtains ......................................................................... 90 4.1.6 Vertical drop barriers ................................................................... 90 4.1.7 Traps and cages .......................................................................... 90 4.2 Behavioural barriers ..................................................................... 91 4.2.1 Sound barriers ............................................................................ 92 4.2.2 Light barriers ............................................................................. 93 4.2.3 Electrical barriers ........................................................................ 93 4.2.4 Air bubble curtain........................................................................ 94 4.2.5 Water jet curtain ......................................................................... 95 4.2.6 Hydrodynamic louvre screens ......................................................... 95 4.2.7 Pheromone barriers ..................................................................... 95 4.3 Considerations for fish containment ............................................... 102 4.3.1 A strategic approach to fish barrier technology in Australia ....................102 4.3.2 Knowledge of targeted fish species biology ........................................102 4.3.3 Barrier design ............................................................................103 4.3.4 Permanent versus temporary fish barriers .........................................104 4.4 Key conclusions ......................................................................... 106 Appendices ................................................................................ 107 Appendix 1. Objectives in various Aquatic Nuisance Species Rapid Response Plans in the United States of America ................................................. 107 Appendix 2. The National Noxious Fish List for Australia ............................. 109 Appendix 3. Legislation to be considered when devising alien freshwater fish emergency response or management plans ................................... 112 References ...............................................................................