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National Strategic Plan for Aquatic Exotics and Quarantine

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Relation http://eprints.cmfri.org.in/13703/
 
Title National Strategic
Plan for Aquatic Exotics and Quarantine
 
Creator Ponniah, A G
Unnithan, V K
Sood, Neeraj
 
Subject Freshwater Fisheries
 
Description India is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of fish genetic wealth.
But since 19th century, there have been introduction of over 350 fish species into the
country for sport fishery, aquaculture, ornamental fishery and insect control purposes.
Translocation of species across political boundaries of nations has been a centuries old
phenomenon. The transboundary movement of species for culture or for aquarium
purposes has witnessed a spurt during the past century and is expected to get accelerated
in the coming years. With the country's attempt to enhance the yield and with the demand
of the fast growing ornamental fish trade, the fishery industry will be keen to import more
promising strains/ species.
Some of the introduced species have added to the fish production, but some
species proved to be invasive in our open waters, affecting the native species. The
potential and real impacts of introducing new species into the aquatic ecosystem have
been major issues debated worldwide. The benefits of introduced species are usually
immediate and for short duration whereas the adverse impacts of exotics become evident
only after a long time. The long-term impacts of the introduced species have not been
evaluated till date in our country. Most conclusions regarding beneficial or adverse
impacts of exotics are based on individual perceptions and are usually not supported by
scientific data. Pre-introductory data to evaluate the impact of introduced species should
be taken into consideration before drawing conclusions. In this context, it is necessary to
provide feasible guidelines for the import of new species or strains depending on the
purpose of import. Under the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD), India has the moral
and legal obligations to conserve its biodiversity. There is need to have adequate
safeguards to protect the native species from the onslaught of the introduced ones. At the
same time the nation must also ensure that the fish yield is enhanced and international
trade, especially in ornamental fishery expands. Industry and traders should be allowed
to develop and expand the trade for the economic benefit of the country. In India, the
policy on introduction of exotic aquatic organisms is not clearly defined. Moreover, there
is no policy to tackle exotics already introduced both legally and illegally.
 
Publisher National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources
 
Date 2002
 
Type Book
PeerReviewed
 
Format text
 
Language en
 
Identifier http://eprints.cmfri.org.in/13703/1/National%20Strategic%20Plan%20for%20Aquatic%20Exotics%20and%20Quarantine_NBFGR%20Special%20Publication%20No.3.pdf
Ponniah, A G and Unnithan, V K and Sood, Neeraj (2002) National Strategic Plan for Aquatic Exotics and Quarantine. NBFGR Special Publication (3). National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow.