ASFB Home > 2003 > Biological Invasions: Consequences for Parasites, Pathogens, Emerging Diseases, and Fisheries in the Marine Environment.

Shoot first, and then ask questions: A look at aquarium fish imports and invasiveness in New Zealand

R M McDowall

National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, PO Box 8602, Christchurch
Email: b.mcdowall@niwa.cri.nz

Like many countries, New Zealand experiences a continual inflow of live freshwater fishes for sale in the aquarium trade. Importations are controlled through a list of species approved for importation by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry: species on the list are allowed entry subject only to quarantine provisions, whereas those not on the list are subject to requirements of the Hazardous and New Organisms Act, administered by the Environmental Risk Management Authority. Fortunately, New Zealand’s cool-temperate climate means that many species being imported have little or no likelihood of becoming established in natural habitats. Nevertheless, there are risks that ought to be understood, and the Department of Conservation has commissioned an analysis of potential risks of invasiveness posed by the global aquarium fish trade. This is more easily requested than achieved, owing to the many thousands of fish in the trade, and the minimal knowledge of the taxonomies and ecologies of a great number of the species. Some are undoubtedly undescribed.

This paper explores issues relating to invasion ecology, and knowing whether or not species may become invasive, evaluates the breadth of the potential for invasiveness in the MAF list and its connections to the HSNO Act, and raises some questions relating to the risks posed by species included in the MAF approved list.

Room 1 Monday 1.40 pm