An Update on the Invasion of Weakfish Cynoscion regalis (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) (Actinopterygii: Sciaenidae) into Europe
New information on weakfish introduction vectors, its invasive status, distribution, and use as a fishing resource arose after the publication of “The transatlantic introduction of weakfish Cynoscion regalis (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) (Sciaenidae, Pisces) into Europe” by Morais and Teodósio (...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2017-10-01
|
| Series: | Diversity |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/9/4/47 |
| _version_ | 1798043479746543616 |
|---|---|
| author | Pedro Morais Inês Cerveira Maria Alexandra Teodósio |
| author_facet | Pedro Morais Inês Cerveira Maria Alexandra Teodósio |
| author_sort | Pedro Morais |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | New information on weakfish introduction vectors, its invasive status, distribution, and use as a fishing resource arose after the publication of “The transatlantic introduction of weakfish Cynoscion regalis (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) (Sciaenidae, Pisces) into Europe” by Morais and Teodósio (2016). Currently, the first known report of weakfish in Europe dates back to September 2009, with a specimen captured in the Schelde estuary (Belgium/The Netherlands). This fact suggests that weakfish could have been introduced into Europe via multiple and independent ballast water introduction events, and not through a point-source introduction event with subsequent dispersion as previously hypothesized. It is also unlikely that Schelde weakfish migrated southwards to colonize Iberian aquatic ecosystems. Weakfish have established a population in the Gulf of Cádiz region and have already reached an invasive status in the Sado estuary (Portugal). Weakfish were also captured in several other locations along the Portuguese coast, including the Tagus and Mira estuaries at least since 2013 or 2014, and the Ria Formosa lagoon in 2017. Tagus anglers caught weakfish specimens of ~1 kg and ~40 cm in November 2016, which corresponds to fish of 3+ years of age in the native range. The presence of weakfish in the Tagus estuary is still fairly unknown to local anglers. Sado weakfish has already been sold in local fish markets in southern Portugal for 3 to 10 € kg−1. However, we consider that the weakfish sale price is underrated in comparison with other wild species (e.g., meagre, seabass, gilthead seabream). Increasing sale price will convince fishers to use weakfish as a new fishing resource; however, it is necessary to promote the species among consumers and evaluate consumers’ preference in respect to other species. A putative biological threat might turn into a new valuable fishing resource by implementing adequate management solutions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T22:50:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2934e4d7c17240a98adb5308f97e7455 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-2818 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T22:50:38Z |
| publishDate | 2017-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Diversity |
| spelling | doaj.art-2934e4d7c17240a98adb5308f97e74552022-12-22T03:58:36ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182017-10-01944710.3390/d9040047d9040047An Update on the Invasion of Weakfish Cynoscion regalis (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) (Actinopterygii: Sciaenidae) into EuropePedro Morais0Inês Cerveira1Maria Alexandra Teodósio2Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, Mulford Hall, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USACCMAR—Centre of Marine Sciences, Campus de Gambelas, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, PortugalCCMAR—Centre of Marine Sciences, Campus de Gambelas, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, PortugalNew information on weakfish introduction vectors, its invasive status, distribution, and use as a fishing resource arose after the publication of “The transatlantic introduction of weakfish Cynoscion regalis (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) (Sciaenidae, Pisces) into Europe” by Morais and Teodósio (2016). Currently, the first known report of weakfish in Europe dates back to September 2009, with a specimen captured in the Schelde estuary (Belgium/The Netherlands). This fact suggests that weakfish could have been introduced into Europe via multiple and independent ballast water introduction events, and not through a point-source introduction event with subsequent dispersion as previously hypothesized. It is also unlikely that Schelde weakfish migrated southwards to colonize Iberian aquatic ecosystems. Weakfish have established a population in the Gulf of Cádiz region and have already reached an invasive status in the Sado estuary (Portugal). Weakfish were also captured in several other locations along the Portuguese coast, including the Tagus and Mira estuaries at least since 2013 or 2014, and the Ria Formosa lagoon in 2017. Tagus anglers caught weakfish specimens of ~1 kg and ~40 cm in November 2016, which corresponds to fish of 3+ years of age in the native range. The presence of weakfish in the Tagus estuary is still fairly unknown to local anglers. Sado weakfish has already been sold in local fish markets in southern Portugal for 3 to 10 € kg−1. However, we consider that the weakfish sale price is underrated in comparison with other wild species (e.g., meagre, seabass, gilthead seabream). Increasing sale price will convince fishers to use weakfish as a new fishing resource; however, it is necessary to promote the species among consumers and evaluate consumers’ preference in respect to other species. A putative biological threat might turn into a new valuable fishing resource by implementing adequate management solutions.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/9/4/47biological invasionsnon-indigenous speciesfishintroduction vectorsballast waterfishing resourceIberian Peninsula |
| spellingShingle | Pedro Morais Inês Cerveira Maria Alexandra Teodósio An Update on the Invasion of Weakfish Cynoscion regalis (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) (Actinopterygii: Sciaenidae) into Europe Diversity biological invasions non-indigenous species fish introduction vectors ballast water fishing resource Iberian Peninsula |
| title | An Update on the Invasion of Weakfish Cynoscion regalis (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) (Actinopterygii: Sciaenidae) into Europe |
| title_full | An Update on the Invasion of Weakfish Cynoscion regalis (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) (Actinopterygii: Sciaenidae) into Europe |
| title_fullStr | An Update on the Invasion of Weakfish Cynoscion regalis (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) (Actinopterygii: Sciaenidae) into Europe |
| title_full_unstemmed | An Update on the Invasion of Weakfish Cynoscion regalis (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) (Actinopterygii: Sciaenidae) into Europe |
| title_short | An Update on the Invasion of Weakfish Cynoscion regalis (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) (Actinopterygii: Sciaenidae) into Europe |
| title_sort | update on the invasion of weakfish cynoscion regalis bloch amp schneider 1801 actinopterygii sciaenidae into europe |
| topic | biological invasions non-indigenous species fish introduction vectors ballast water fishing resource Iberian Peninsula |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/9/4/47 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT pedromorais anupdateontheinvasionofweakfishcynoscionregalisblochampschneider1801actinopterygiisciaenidaeintoeurope AT inescerveira anupdateontheinvasionofweakfishcynoscionregalisblochampschneider1801actinopterygiisciaenidaeintoeurope AT mariaalexandrateodosio anupdateontheinvasionofweakfishcynoscionregalisblochampschneider1801actinopterygiisciaenidaeintoeurope AT pedromorais updateontheinvasionofweakfishcynoscionregalisblochampschneider1801actinopterygiisciaenidaeintoeurope AT inescerveira updateontheinvasionofweakfishcynoscionregalisblochampschneider1801actinopterygiisciaenidaeintoeurope AT mariaalexandrateodosio updateontheinvasionofweakfishcynoscionregalisblochampschneider1801actinopterygiisciaenidaeintoeurope |