Evaluating Importation of Aquatic Ornamental Species for Biosecurity Purposes

Javier Atalah,Ian C Davidson,Eugene Georgiades,Maike Thoene,Kate S Hutson

doi:10.3389/fevo.2021.804160

Abstract

The aquatic ornamental species (AOS) trade is a significant pathway for the introduction and establishment of non-indigenous species into aquatic environments. The likelihood of such occurrences is expected to increase worldwide as industry growth continues and warmer conditions emerge under future climate scenarios. This study used recent (2015 – 2019) New Zealand importation data to determine the composition, diversity, abundance, and arrival frequency of AOS. Our analysis revealed that ca. 300,000 aquatic ornamental individuals are imported annually to New Zealand, with freshwater fish comprising 98% of import quantities. Despite the relatively small market size, the estimated AOS diversity of 865 taxa (89 and 9.5% identified to species and genus level, respectively) is comparable to larger markets with ∼60% of taxa being of marine origin. Species (n = 20) for further investigation were prioritized based on quantity and frequency of import. These prioritized AOS were exclusively tropical and subtropical freshwater fish and align with the most frequently imported AOS globally, including the top three: neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi), guppy (Poecilia reticulata), and tiger barb (Puntigrus tetrazona). Species distribution modeling of the 20 prioritized AOS predicted that 13 species are suitable for New Zealand’s current climate conditions, most notably sucker-belly loach (Pseudogastromyzon myersi), white cloud mountain minnow (Tanichthys albonubes), and golden otocinclus (Macrotocinclus affinis). Potential changes in habitat suitability were predicted under future climate scenarios, with largest increases (29%) for Po. reticulata. The described approach provides an adaptable framework to assess establishment likelihood of imported AOS to inform regulatory decision making.

Highlights

Maintaining aquatic animals and plants is a centuries-old hobby with an ever-increasing popularity and global reach (Bruckner, 2005; Brunner, 2012)
Available data for all aquatic ornamental species (AOS) imported to New Zealand from 2015 to 2019 were extracted from the invoices that accompanied each consignment for import verification purposes
A total of 284 PDF consignment invoices containing AOS names and quantities was converted by Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) into a spreadsheet format with all sensitive information removed

Summary

Introduction

Maintaining aquatic animals and plants is a centuries-old hobby with an ever-increasing popularity and global reach (Bruckner, 2005; Brunner, 2012). The modern aquatic ornamental species (AOS) trade – including bony fish, crustaceans, mollusks, corals, and associated equipment – has grown to a US$15–30 billion per year industry (Penning et al, 2009; Raja et al, 2019). Growth of this sector has continued despite global fluctuations in trade practices and difficulties. Research topics include consideration of a range of habitat impacts, species conservation issues, industry practices for wild and cultured stocks, societal education and enjoyment, and the roles and responsibilities of industry and regulatory policy (Green, 2003; Penning et al, 2009; Prakash et al, 2017; Rhyne et al, 2017; Evers et al, 2019; Trujillo-González and Militz, 2019)

Objectives

Methods

Results