1. the Database on Introductions of Aquatic Species (DIAS)
Use of the Code of Practice on the Introduction and transfer of Marine Organisms (ICES, 1995)
and
the Database on Introductions of Aquatic Species (DIAS)
Good afternoon,
Felix Marttin
Working with the Inland Water Resources and Aquaculture service of the Fisheries department of the FAO of the UN. (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations).
I will try to tell you something on how to apply the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and the applicable guidelines, and codes of practice when considering the introduction of an alien species. Besides that I will try to tell you something about the Database on Introductions of Aquatic Species.
Felix Marttin
Inland Water Resources and Aquaculture Service (FIRI)
Fisheries Department
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

2. Code of Practice on the Introduction and Transfer of Marine Organisms
Technical guidelines for Responsible Fisheries
Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries
The code of practice is part of the technical guideline Precautionary approach to inland fisheries and species introduction.
The technical guidelines are a direct result of the adoptation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries by the counsil of member-states of the FAO
Several copies of this Code of Conduct are with the organizers of the workshop

3. The Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries:
Is an internationally negotiated text (COFI 1995)
Voluntary
International agreement on how to move forward in fisheries policy

4. The goal of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries:
To contribute to achieving sustainable benefits from fisheries in terms of food, employment, recreation, trade and economic well-being for people
In so doing, the Code provides principles and standards applicable to the conservation, management and development of all fisheries

5. Looking for a local alternative
Application of the Code of Practice on the Introduction of Marine Organisms (ICES, 1995):
Looking for a local alternative
For the Preparation of a proposal, information on the considered species is needed!!
Proposal (purpose and objective, why alien needed, alternatives, source of the stock, etc)
When considering the introduction of an alien species the code of practice gives some guidelines on how to move forward:
First the problem should be identified and efforts should be made to find a local species to solve the issue. If there is a local species available, then all efforts should be geared toward the use of this local species.
If no local alternative is available, efforts can be geared toward the preparation of a proposal concerning the introduction of an alien species.
This will force planning of the whole operation and will open up communication among developers, regulatory agencies, scientists, and the international community.
The proposal should contain:
Purpose and objective of the introduction. If possible quantified.
The stages of the life cycle to be introduced.
The area of origin and target area of release.
A review of the biology and ecology of the species
Alternative methods and a comparison between the proposed introduction and the alternatives.
A detailed analyses of the potential impacts on the aquatic ecosystem of the proposed introduction.
To be able to make a proposal information is needed, for which there are several sources, like this meeting, but also ….

6. Databases on the Internet:
Fishbase, ICLARM/FAO
Global Invasive Species Database, IUCN’s Invasive Species Specialist Group
Non-indigenous Aquatic Species, US Government
Baltic Sea Alien Species Database, Baltic Marine Biologists Working Group on Non-indigenous Estuarine and Marine Organisms
Several databese are available on the internet, I'll only name a view:
……..
Besides these, FAO has it’s own database on introduced Aquatic species:….

7. http://www.fao.org/fi/statist/fisoft/dias/index.htm DIAS
In shorth DIAS (Database on the Introductions of Aquatic Species)
When you’re fast enough you can write down the internet addres, but it can also be found through the general FAO web site:

8. Database on Introductions of Aquatic Species (DIAS)
Initiated by R. L. Welcomme early 1980’s
Focus was on freshwater fish introductions, currently also other taxa, Crustaceans, Molluscs, and Marine species
The FAO database on introductions of aquatic species was initiated by R. Welcomme in the early 1980's. It considered initially only freshwater species of fish and formed the basis for the 1988 FAO Fisheries Technical Paper no. 294.
The database has been expanded to include additional taxa, such as molluscs and crustaceans, and marine species.
The database, which contains now about 3,600 records, can be queried through the Search Form

9. Search via the internet:

10. Search via the internet:
This is the search form, probably nobady is able to read it in the room, but the database can be searched on:
Genus name, species name, where the species was introduced to, where the species was introduced from, what the reasons were, wheather or not the species is established in the wild, etc. have a look yourself (when possible)
We will be producing a CD-ROM, for people who don’t have a fast internet connection

12. Database on Introductions of Aquatic Species (DIAS)
Data from questionnaires and literature
Only records on the first introduction
Only records on international (cross-border) introductions
……...
The DIAS is by no means complete, we do not want to duplicate things, so we would like to link/cooperate with other databases

13. Reasons for introductions:
Aquaculture 43%
Angling 9%
Accidental 8%
Ornamental 8%
Fisheries 6%
Another remarkable outcome is that 17% of the freshwater aquaculture production is from introduced species.
Bio-control 4%
Unknown 17%

14. Looking for a local alternative
Application of the Code of Practice on the Introduction of Marine Organisms (ICES, 1995):
Looking for a local alternative
Proposal (purpose and objective, why alien needed, alternatives, source of the stock, etc)
Back to were we started, application of the code of practice on the introduction of marine organisms:
Looking for local alternative
Proposal (CEP or panel of experts)
Independent review that evaluates the proposal and the impacts and risk/benefits of the proposed introduction (pathogens, ecological requirements/interactions, genetic/socio-economic concerns, local species most effected (ICES???)
Advice: is communicated among stakeholders (proposers, evaluators, decision makers) can be:
1) reject proposal
2) refine proposal (arrow back)
3) accept proposal
Independent review (evaluating the proposal, impacts and benefits)

15. Approval (quarantine/containment programmes)
Application of the Code of Practice on the Introduction of Marine Organisms, continued:
Approval (quarantine/containment programmes)
Monitoring and reporting
Approval/decision by decision makers (representatives of countries involved, with links to ministry of fisheries, environment, economic affairs, etc)
Then a step that isn’t written: introduction of the species, by the introducing agency. In our case ????
Monitoring and reporting: a very important step, not only to keep an eye on what is happening, but also to report nationally and internationally, so that other people can learn from the project.

16. The Code of Practice on the Introduction of Marine Organisms
To reduce the risks of adverse effects that could arise from introductions

17. Thank you