Increasingly, invasive species are seen as a threat to indigenous biodiversity, through their impacts on natural and semi-natural habitats and ecosystems and are now widely cited as the second greatest global threat to biodiversity, after habitat destruction (United Nations, 2015). Invasive species are found in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Aquatic Invasive Alien species in the Caribbean include the Lion Fish and the Green Mussel.
Lionfish (Pterois volitans)
The Lionfish favors coral reef habitats. They intrude into the Caribbean from the tropical waters of the South Pacific and Indian Oceans. Their medium of arrival into the Caribbean is believed to be through the aquarium trade. This particular species of Lionfish, i.e. the Pterois volitans is relatively quick to adapt to novel prey types. As with other invasive species they multiply quickly, and preliminary genetic studies from North Carolina suggest that as little as three females could be responsible for an entire population.
With this rapid reproductive ability the Lionfish have spread throughout the Bahamas and the northern Caribbean and are now listed as a priority Invasive Alien Species in Jamaica. They are efficient carnivores that feed on a wide variety of smaller fishes, shrimps and crabs, out-competing native species. The Pterois volitans species has received significant attention throughout the Caribbean region due to its demonstrated and potential impacts on ecology, fisheries, tourism and public health. The Jamaica Observer highlights that since 2006, the lionfish has spread across Jamaica, threatening reef, seagrass and mangrove fish communities.
The Lionfish have been a cause for concern for Caribbean territories and as a result there have been attempts to control the population and create awareness. The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) Jamaica is one of the main institution with the responsibility of creating environment awareness, and controlling and monitoring invasive species. Other institutions such as the University of the West Indies (Center for Marine Sciences) also works with NEPA with respect to invasive species. NEPA has conducted population density surveys have been conducted where Lionfish are removed and studied. Partnerships have also been established with a number of private companies in the financial and hospitality sectors to fund activities, and increase public awareness through education. Education includes how to prepare the fish for cooking as it is poisonous. Consuming the Lionfish in Jamaica is also a means of controlling the population.
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Green Mussel (Perna virdis)
The Asian Green Mussel is a bivalve and is economically important in several countries where it is harvested for food. However this is not the case in the Caribbean as the bivalve is known to harbor toxins, which are hazardous to human health and cause damage to submerged structures such as drainage pipes.
It is native in the Asia-Pacific region and was introduced in the waters of the Caribbean as invasive species via boat hulls and water ballasts. In countries such as Jamaica and Trinidad they can also be found attached to red mangrove roots. As an invasive species, the mussel is notorious for clogging and corroding water pipes used by industrial complexes. The Green Mussel also is responsible for fouling marine equipment and threatening the sustainability of the shellfish fishery. It also has the potential to displace native mussels by introducing harmful parasites and diseases.
The Jamaica Observer highlights that Perna viridis species was introduced by humans unintentionally. It was introduced through ballast water (water carried in ships' ballast tanks to improve stability, balance and trim) from the Asia-Pacific region, and has reduced the biodiversity of the organisms on the mangrove roots in the Kingston Harbour by outcompeting them for the space. The Green Mussel sometimes clogs the pipelines within the harbor, and costs millions per annum to clean.
The Asian Green Mussel is a bivalve and is economically important in several countries where it is harvested for food. However this is not the case in the Caribbean as the bivalve is known to harbor toxins, which are hazardous to human health and cause damage to submerged structures such as drainage pipes.
It is native in the Asia-Pacific region and was introduced in the waters of the Caribbean as invasive species via boat hulls and water ballasts. In countries such as Jamaica and Trinidad they can also be found attached to red mangrove roots. As an invasive species, the mussel is notorious for clogging and corroding water pipes used by industrial complexes. The Green Mussel also is responsible for fouling marine equipment and threatening the sustainability of the shellfish fishery. It also has the potential to displace native mussels by introducing harmful parasites and diseases.
The Jamaica Observer highlights that Perna viridis species was introduced by humans unintentionally. It was introduced through ballast water (water carried in ships' ballast tanks to improve stability, balance and trim) from the Asia-Pacific region, and has reduced the biodiversity of the organisms on the mangrove roots in the Kingston Harbour by outcompeting them for the space. The Green Mussel sometimes clogs the pipelines within the harbor, and costs millions per annum to clean.
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The red claw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus, has been a popular choice for aquaculture since the late 1980s. Brood stock of this Australian native was introduced in 1993 to farms in Jamaica. The first known established specimen living in the wild was collected from the Black River in 1999. Cherax quadricarinatus is native to the southern hemisphere: throughout the streams and rivers of northern Australia (Jones and Morgan, 1994). In Jamaica, they have become established in two of the largest river systems in Jamaica: Black River in the parish of St. Elizabeth, and Rio Cobre in St. Catherine. Behaviour Red claws are very hardy and can tolerate a wide range of conditions, including low water quality in moderately polluted rivers. They are capable of dispersing further than native shrimp, and have been reported to actively move during times of drought to locate permanent bodies of water in their native ecosystem. This may have applications to its capacity disperse to other rivers in Jamaica. Impacts Several crayfish species have been introduced beyond their natural ranges worldwide, either accidentally or intentionally for aquaculture. Typically, these animals had adverse effects on the existing crayfish fauna, including the elimination of native species . No crayfish are native to Jamaican rivers and streams; however there are 14 indigenous freshwater shrimp species . Of this number, nine occur in the Black River and Rio Cobre systems collectively. The impact of the crayfish on the native crustacean fauna is being investigated. Preliminary results indicate, contrary to reports that C. quadricarinatus does not dig burrows in Australia, that individuals in Jamaican rivers are generally found occupying burrows which they construct in the banks of the rivers.
Key Readings
- The Impact of Invasive Species on Jamaican Industries -http://www.nepa.gov.jm/ibd-2009/docs/impact_invasive_species_industries.pdf
- The Introduced Red Claw Crayfish in Jamaica-http://jamaicachm.org.jm/PDF/April2005.pdf
- Invasive Species Threats in the Caribbean Region-http://www.issg.org/database/species/reference_files/Kairo%20et%20al,%202003.pdf
- Caribbean Scientists Committed to Combating Marine Invasive Species-http://www.nepa.gov.jm/new/media_centre/news/articles/Caribbean-Scientists-on-IAS.pdf