Publication Abstract

Propagule pressure and invasion risks of non-native fishes in Europe: a case study of England

G.H. Copp, M. Templeton and R.E. Gozlan

Europe countries in general, and England in particular, have a long history of introducing non-native fish species, but there exists no detailed studies of the introduction pathways and propagules pressure for any European country. Using the nine regions of England as a preliminary case study, the potential relationship between the occurrence in the wild of non-native freshwater fishes (from a recent audit of non-native species) and the intensity (i.e. propagule pressure) and diversity of fish imports. The main pathways of introduction were via imports of fish for ornamental use (aquaria, garden ponds) and sport fishing, with no reported or suspected cases of ballast water or hull fouling introductions. The recorded occurrence of non-native fishes in the wild was found to be related to the time (number of years) since the decade of introduction. However, a shift in the establishment rate was observed in the 1970s after which the ratio of established-to-introduced species declined. The number of established non-native fish species observed in the wild was found to increase significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing import intensity (log₁₀+1 of the numbers of fish imported for the years 2000-2004) and with increasing consignment diversity (log₁₀+1 of the numbers of consignment types imported for the years 2000-2004). The implications for policy and management are discussed.

Reference:
G.H. Copp*, M. Templeton and R.E. Gozlan (2007) Propagule pressure and invasion risks of non-native fishes in Europe: a case study of England. Journal of Fish Biology 71 (Supplement D): 148-159