Introduction of non-native freshwater fish can certainly be bad

• Published in: Fish and fisheries (Oxford, England) Vol. 10; no. 1; pp. 98 - 108
• Main Authors: Vitule, Jean Ricardo Simões, Freire, Carolina Arruda, Simberloff, Daniel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Oxford, UK : Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.03.2009; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Aquaculture; biodiversity; carp; catfish; Conservation; Criticism; Ecological effects; Ecology; economic valuation; economic value; Fish; Fresh water; Freshwater fish; freshwater fish introductions; Hybridization; Introduced species; Lates niloticus; Mollusks; non-native fish; Nonnative species; Parasites; Pathogens; Precautionary principle; risk assessment
• ISSN: 1467-2960; 1467-2979
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-2979.2008.00312.x

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.