15/07/2024
The Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnology of the National Research Council of Italy (Cnr-Irbim), based in Ancona, coordinated the Technical Report “Fisheries responses to invasive species in a changing climate – Lessons learned from case studies” just released by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and now freely available online: a tool available to decision makers, environmental managers and administrators of the fishing sector to respond effectively to the growing impact of aquatic invasive species (AIS), a global challenge today further aggravated by changes climate.
Result of in-depth research which involved eleven case studies conducted by as many teams of international experts and a survey conducted on 101 scientists from 44 countries. The Report identifies three different types of measures: socioeconomic, environmental, and action aiming at promoting greater knowledge and awareness of the problem at a general level. Nine measures were examined, each accompanied by analyses of the pros and cons and detailed implementation guides.
Socioeconomic measures are those that have direct repercussions on the markets: the possible development of fishing activities for alien species for commercial purposes is therefore considered, a solution widely used in the world, which however does not exempt from possible "bioeconomic paradoxes" - i.e. interests in conserving invasive populations if they become economically valuable - as well as the possibility of promoting recreational fishing. Still on the economic front, the report suggests an in-depth exploration of the economic opportunities that could arise from the progressive commercialization of these species, also in the face of growing demand from consumers. In fact, the Cnr-Irbim has recently published in the scientific journal "Marine Policy" the results of a study which revealed a broad acceptance by the Italian consumer public towards the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), a species protagonist of an unprecedented 'biological explosion' in the waters of the Northern Adriatic, massively reported in the national media starting from summer 2023. “Our results support the idea that the blue crab has some economic potential, but its commercialization is currently inadequate in Italy. Considering the current impossibility of eradication, we recommend the adoption of proactive measures to improve the distribution chain of this invader, which is already included in the list of commercial species. This approach, widely used in many other countries, should be seriously considered in future invasion management strategies. An in-depth understanding of all the socio-economic and ecological benefits and potential risks, as well as the use of selective fishing, will obviously be necessary to implement this strategy in the long term, without further impacts on natural environments, native biodiversity and productive activities”, says Gian Marco Luna, director of the Cnr-Irbim.
Other measures are of an environmental nature: they include the implementation of containment strategies both through spatial control - especially effective in cases where one wishes to act on confined areas of specific ecological or economic interest - and through biological control: a strategy, the latter, used in very few cases due to the risk of further - and often unpredictable - negative repercussions on ecosystems. This type of measure also includes ecosystem restoration actions to be implemented in the long term, making use of accurate species tracking systems.
Finally, the Report also recommends "awareness" actions, which are achieved through the implementation of awareness and dissemination programs: a transversal approach that involves all the various subjects involved – fishers, citizens, managers, decision makers, etc. - and aims to encourage dialogue, which is useful regardless of the implemented measures. On the other hand, inaction is also taken into consideration, analyzing its possible consequences.
“This guide intends to provide managers, administrators and policy makers with the tools necessary to understand and address the multiple and complex issues posed by aquatic invasions, a problem that today - in the era of the global economy and climate change - characterizes marine and freshwater environments from all over the world”, adds Ernesto Azzurro of Cnr-Irbim, leader scientist of the FAO technical report “It aims to foster informed decision-making and strategic planning, ensuring sustainable and adaptive responses to the challenges presented by this emerging problem. This report also aim to exploit the potential benefits that the invasion of these species can offer without forgetting the potential risks to evaluate. Furthermore, the Report rewards the commitment and leadership of the Cnr-Irbim and of Italian research in providing practical solutions to this environmental challenge, an objective strongly desired by all European policies and by the National Center for Biodiversity: this publication will probably serve as a crucial operational reference for identifying resilient and sustainable practices to manage biological invasions in the aquatic environments of the world".
Per informazioni:
Ernesto Azzurro
Cnr-Irbim
ernesto.azzurro@cnr.it
0039/071/2078867
Ufficio stampa:
Francesca Gorini
Cnr Press Office
francesca.gorini@cnr.it
3293178725
Responsabile Unità Ufficio stampa:
Emanuele Guerrini
emanuele.guerrini@cnr.it
ufficiostampa@cnr.it
06 4993 3383
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