Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
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Welcomme, R. L. (1992). A history of international introductions of inland aquatic species. Pages 3-14 in C. Sindermann, B. Steinmetz and W. Hershberger, eds. Introductions and Transfers of Aquatic Species, Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada), ICES Marine Science Symposia.
A register of 1,673,000 records of introductions of 291 species into 148 countries has been analysed for trends and motives for introductions. Some introductions occurred in historical times, but the rate of movement of species between countries has accelerated since 1900. The majority of introductions have been carried out in support of aquaculture, although sport and improvement of wild fish stocks have also been significant motives. A large number of introductions have occurred through accidental escape or transmission between countries. Most introductions have proved benign in that they have had no detectable influence on native fish communities or have contributed significantly to aquaculture or capture fishery yield. A small proportion of introductions have proved ecologically undesirable, and these have arisen mainly either from species capable of producing stunted populations or from predatory species which have damaged indigenous species.
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/URL: http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/data_library/fisheries/fish_passage/welcomme3.html
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November 3, 2015
