Preserving Uruguay’s freshwater systems: the need to restrict invasive species introductions for sustainable production
This manuscript critically examines the history of non-native aquatic species introductions in Uruguay, emphasizing the role of public institutions. Despite global concerns about biodiversity threats from these introductions, Uruguay’s reliance on animal production and aquaculture involving non-nati...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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EDP Sciences
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.kmae-journal.org/articles/kmae/full_html/2024/01/kmae240004/kmae240004.html |
| _version_ | 1797202654947966976 |
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| author | Laufer Gabriel Mazzeo Néstor |
| author_facet | Laufer Gabriel Mazzeo Néstor |
| author_sort | Laufer Gabriel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This manuscript critically examines the history of non-native aquatic species introductions in Uruguay, emphasizing the role of public institutions. Despite global concerns about biodiversity threats from these introductions, Uruguay’s reliance on animal production and aquaculture involving non-native species has grown since the 1980s. State institutions, despite past failures, have promoted these introductions without comprehensive risk assessments. Notable cases, including failed attempts with species like the herbivorous carp, American bullfrog, Nile tilapia, Australian redclaw crayfish, and American mink, raise concerns about invasive populations due to a lack of proper risk assessments and prevention measures. Previous examples were deficient in escape monitoring, oversight of specimens after farm closures, and considerations for the presence of new pathogens. This highlights the need for more informed and responsible approaches to prevent invasive species’ establishment, advocating for rigorous analysis and risk assessments before any introduction. We propose overcoming historically fragmented decision-making processes by establishing a bridging structure that coordinates inter- and intra-institutional efforts, engages with the academic sector and social organizations, and evaluates the introductions. This platform can prioritize protecting aquatic ecosystems, fostering sustainable growth, and maintaining ecological balance, contributing to the solution of the problem by facilitating coordinated efforts and engaging diverse stakeholders. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T08:06:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2db381ec90b040eda599b0de9340da6c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1961-9502 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T08:06:53Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | EDP Sciences |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems |
| spelling | doaj.art-2db381ec90b040eda599b0de9340da6c2024-04-17T09:14:13ZengEDP SciencesKnowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems1961-95022024-01-010425710.1051/kmae/2024006kmae240004Preserving Uruguay’s freshwater systems: the need to restrict invasive species introductions for sustainable productionLaufer Gabriel0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8285-5023Mazzeo Néstor1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3090-2617Área Biodiversidad y Conservación, Museo Nacional de Historia NaturalDepartamento de Ecología Teórica y Aplicada, CURE-Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la RepúblicaThis manuscript critically examines the history of non-native aquatic species introductions in Uruguay, emphasizing the role of public institutions. Despite global concerns about biodiversity threats from these introductions, Uruguay’s reliance on animal production and aquaculture involving non-native species has grown since the 1980s. State institutions, despite past failures, have promoted these introductions without comprehensive risk assessments. Notable cases, including failed attempts with species like the herbivorous carp, American bullfrog, Nile tilapia, Australian redclaw crayfish, and American mink, raise concerns about invasive populations due to a lack of proper risk assessments and prevention measures. Previous examples were deficient in escape monitoring, oversight of specimens after farm closures, and considerations for the presence of new pathogens. This highlights the need for more informed and responsible approaches to prevent invasive species’ establishment, advocating for rigorous analysis and risk assessments before any introduction. We propose overcoming historically fragmented decision-making processes by establishing a bridging structure that coordinates inter- and intra-institutional efforts, engages with the academic sector and social organizations, and evaluates the introductions. This platform can prioritize protecting aquatic ecosystems, fostering sustainable growth, and maintaining ecological balance, contributing to the solution of the problem by facilitating coordinated efforts and engaging diverse stakeholders.https://www.kmae-journal.org/articles/kmae/full_html/2024/01/kmae240004/kmae240004.htmlbiological invasionaquacultureintroduction pathenvironmental policy |
| spellingShingle | Laufer Gabriel Mazzeo Néstor Preserving Uruguay’s freshwater systems: the need to restrict invasive species introductions for sustainable production Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems biological invasion aquaculture introduction path environmental policy |
| title | Preserving Uruguay’s freshwater systems: the need to restrict invasive species introductions for sustainable production |
| title_full | Preserving Uruguay’s freshwater systems: the need to restrict invasive species introductions for sustainable production |
| title_fullStr | Preserving Uruguay’s freshwater systems: the need to restrict invasive species introductions for sustainable production |
| title_full_unstemmed | Preserving Uruguay’s freshwater systems: the need to restrict invasive species introductions for sustainable production |
| title_short | Preserving Uruguay’s freshwater systems: the need to restrict invasive species introductions for sustainable production |
| title_sort | preserving uruguay s freshwater systems the need to restrict invasive species introductions for sustainable production |
| topic | biological invasion aquaculture introduction path environmental policy |
| url | https://www.kmae-journal.org/articles/kmae/full_html/2024/01/kmae240004/kmae240004.html |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT laufergabriel preservinguruguaysfreshwatersystemstheneedtorestrictinvasivespeciesintroductionsforsustainableproduction AT mazzeonestor preservinguruguaysfreshwatersystemstheneedtorestrictinvasivespeciesintroductionsforsustainableproduction |