Invited Speaker

Prof. Gordon H. Copp

Prof. Gordon H. Copp

Team Leader, Salmon & Freshwater Team, Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Lowestoft, England, UK
Visiting Professor, Department of Life & Environmental Science, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK
Adjunct Professor, Life Sciences Graduate Programme, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Research Fellow, Faculty of Biology & Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
Speech Title: What are the environmental risks of alien species in aquaculture in China? A trial application of the European Non-native Species in Aquaculture Risk Analysis Scheme (ENSARS) to assess largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides

Abstract: Aquaculture has recently been developing rapidly in China, representing about 60% of world production, and relies heavily (i.e. 25% of China’s production) on non-native species (NNS). However, potential threats of NNS to China’s environment have been overlooked, this due in part to a lack of NNS risk analysis protocols and especially for aquaculture. A potentially-useful assessment approach is the European Non-native Species in Aquaculture Risk Analysis Scheme (ENSARS), which consists of seven modules: Pre-screening (for potential invasiveness), Entry risks, Organism risks, Infectious Agents risks, Facility risks, Pathway risks, and Socio-economic Impact risks. Developed for the European Union Regulation on the use of alien species in aquaculture, the ENSARS has been to assess several species under that legislation, with other applications in Turkey, Brazil and France. This oral communication reports on an evaluation of ENSARS for use in China to assess potential future and existing use of NNS in aquaculture. All ENSARS modules were used to assess largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides, a North American fish of global use in aquaculture. In China, this species use in aquaculture and releases to open waters are currently geographically restricted but expected to expand due to the species’ popularity for human consumption and for fisheries.

Key words: biological invasions, decision-support tools, AS-ISK, aquatic invasive species, fish husbandry risks


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