Exotics for Stocking and Aquaculture, Making Correct Decisions

Abstract

Exotic species form an important contribution to the economies, fisheries, recreational angling and food production in Europe. In general, culture operations have targeted a small number of very productive species, many of these are exotic or derived from transfers of different native population strains. Stocking has taken place for about 2,000 years with the majority being introduced over the last century. There is an awareness that other species may either form suitable substitutes or may even be more productive and so many further exotic species and hybrids are likely to be tested experimentally in freshwater and brackish and marine areas. Some species, where their biology is not well known and presently not in culture, may be utilised in the future as new technological developments arise. Introduced species will carry other associated species with them and some of these will have unwanted consequences for some native species and natural assemblages.