Executive Board member OFI
E-mail: sfossa@online.no

Biography

Presentation

Introduction
A few generations ago, the introduction of new species of animals and plants to areas outside of their native ranges was considered a rather beneficial exercise. Thousands of animal and plant species were brought to new territories by the emigrants from Europe who settled in North America or Australia, and by European colonialists, to and from their colonies worldwide.
 
Now, the overall view on alien species has changed dramatically. It is no longer the possibilities for commercial exploitation which are at the forefront, but rather, the fear of ecological disasters – of which there are quite a few historical examples. Consider what happened with the rabbits in Australia, or what still goes on with some of the most successful water weeds.

Florida alone spends in the neighbourhood of USD 15 million per year to control Hydrilla verticillata, which was once a commonly traded aquarium plant, and the South African government reportedly spends in excess of USD 25 million annually on eradicating Water Hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes, from the country’s waterways!

Over the last couple of years, we have seen a rapidly increasing number of scientific reports and environment policy articles focusing on the possible role of the ornamental aquatics industry

in the dispersal of invasive alien species. IAS are on the agenda of practically every government in the world.

Aquatic plants which grow like weeds outside of their native range, such as the previously mentioned species, as well as Pistia, Elodea, and Salvinia species, are typical examples. On the fishy side, snakeheads, carp, goldfish, golden orfe, flowerhorn cichlids, and lionfish are but a few of the species we have heard of going astray in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia quite recently. In many cases – perhaps even in most, it is historically known that the release of the specific aliens was in no way connected with the aquatic trade or hobby. Still, because we continue to keep and trade internationally with many of these species, and in total many more species than any other industry in the world, we cannot easily avoid the spotlight.

The aquarium industry has a special responsibility. Through continued cooperation with researchers and authorities, we need to intensify our efforts to educate customers and the public on the dangers of introducing alien species. When an introduced species turns out to be a successful invasive species, we may already have harmed the environment… while our industry is certainly harmed by any release.