Recfishwest Policy
Translocation of Fish Species into WA Environments

Preamble - in general, Recfishwest believes that the potential and actual risks associated with translocations of non-endemic (including same species but from different genetic stocks) aquatic species require a rigorous but objective set of protocols being met. The assessment of the risk and the key factors in quantifying the risk should be applied to all industries including aquaculture, aquarium fish and recreational fishing enhancement prior to Recfishwest providing support to any translocation proposal.

Principle - that there be no adverse impacts on any native species or existing successfully introduced desirable species arising from any translocation initiative. The ability of any species to establish viable self sustaining populations should be carefully considered and would normally preclude the introduction of fish into waters where they could not be eradicated.

Background

Recfishwest recognises that there are three basic water types into which a translocation could be possible and that the risk descends for each of these types:

1. Natural water bodies with free movement of fish and water.

2. Modified environments where fish passage is controlled or unlikely due to the modification (eg irrigation dam)

3. Highly modified environments such as farm dam or aquaculture facility not on natural catchment, where fish movement of the species concerned is only possible through deliberate intervention or via accidental transportation of eggs or larvae by birds or other animals.

Recfishwest recognises that there are three types of stockings which may be possible in descending risk:

1. Ongoing stock enhancement using fish to effectively replace natural recruitment and being driven by fish catches rather than the carrying capacity or biodiversity of the stocked environment.

2. Stocking in response to unusual events such as fish kills, overfishing or successive recruitment failure and where the environment is capable or potentially capable of supporting the stocked fish.

3. Stocking waters which are incapable of providing natural recruitment through migration barriers or remoteness to natural waterways (eg farm dam not on natural catchment).

Recfishwest believes that there are 5 types of fish which can be considered for translocation in descending risk:

1. Species of fish not found in the biogeographic region capable of establishing reproductively viable populations in competition with existing endemic species.

2. Fish found in the biogeographic region, or not, but with significantly different genetic characteristics capable of establishing reproductively viable populations.

3. Fish not capable of establishing reproductively viable populations in the waters into which they are stocked.

4. Fish not capable of establishing reproductively viable populations in ANY waters into which they may be deliberately released.

5. Fish found in the local area giving full regard to the genetic and disease management of any stocking.

Policy

Prior to providing endorsement to any translocation Recfishwest would require that an objective assessment by recognised experts and community members that:

• The target species was not capable of long term breeding viability in any WA waters, either fresh or salt;

• The target species would not compete aggressively with any native or existing desirable established introduced species in the waterways proposed for introduction;

• The target species clearly offered a significant increase in social/economic benefit to the community vis a vis the status quo;

• The proposed translocation was supported by appropriate regulations including penalties for further illegal stockings and structures for management;

• The target species was capable of forming a 'practical' fishing stock within a 'reasonable' timeframe with regard to factors such as high growth rates, large maximum size, high maximum density, low propensity to stunt, low/minimal environmental impact etc.

• The same assessment will also apply to other potential impacting processes such as the sale and production of aquarium fish and escape of aquaculture stock.

In practice Recfishwest recognises that the preparation of a risk matrix and application of the above considerations means that few proposals would be capable of meeting its requirements. However, we also recognise that many aquarium fish would also represent an unacceptable risk and should thus be excluded from sale. The adoption of the overriding principle of ensuring long term sustainability of existing native and desirable introduced species necessarily places a critical onus on proponents to demonstrate the merits of their proposals.

Recfishwest is committed to ensuring that the undesirable impacts of any translocations do not exceed the benefits.



This page last updated on 30 December 2003.