| Summary: | Three of the four species of non-native gobiids currently reported in the Rhine basin
were recently recorded in France: the Western tubenose goby in 2007, the bighead goby in
2010 and the round goby in 2011. The bighead goby and the round goby displayed a very high
rate of range expansion, suggesting a human-assisted colonisation through inland
navigation. An assessment of the invasiveness potential by the FISK (Fish Invasiveness
Screening Kit) reveals a medium risk for the Western tubenose goby, while the bighead goby
and the round goby are at high risk of becoming invasive in France. This assessment is
consistent with our observations since there has been a steady increase in the range of
the Western tubenose goby, although in low numbers, while the relative abundance of
bighead goby and round goby, recently arrived in the French part of the Rhine River and
Moselle River, can be high. Given their fast expansion, it can be assumed that these
species will soon reach other French basins, particularly in the south (Rhône basin) and
in the west (Seine basin), and the implementation of measures to limit their spread should
be considered.
|
|---|