1. Alien Species – Aquaculture WFD – MSFD
Keith Jeffery
Centre for the Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science
DG ENV Workshop, 6 March 2014

2. Invasive alien species (IAS) Overview
Threat to bio-diversity
EU biodiversity strategy to 2020
Targets reduced risks from pathways and impact of IAS
Guidance needs to explore and advise on Aquaculture, IAS – WFD - MSFD

3. Current EU Alien Species Aquaculture Regulation
Well developed
708/2007 framework for MS
CA’s – Permit system
Routine movements – low risk
Non-routine = Risk assessment
Go ahead if low risk or mitigation
Annex IV species
304/2011 (closed system)
Derogation from permitting

4. New Alien Species Reg’s
Covers all IAS areas (not just aquaculture)
Proposal for new regulation COM(2013) 620 final
Now at first draft stage (negotiations)
Establish framework for action to reduce impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Core proposals
Prevention,
Early detection,
Rapid eradication,
Management established IAS.

5. Alien Species Aquaculture & WFD Common Interests
Shellfish / Environmental concerns over IAS pests
Sea Squirt, Slipper limpets, Mitten crabs
Mitigation = Codes of conducts, best practice
e.g. Bangor Mussels Producers Code of good practice.
NOAA
Finfish & Environmental concerns over Escapees
Effects (genetics) and industry costs (€47.5 million)
Mitigation = Legislative standards, NYTEK, ISO.
EU PREVENT ESCAPE(outputs)
Sterilization (potential new advances over triploidy)

6. Aquaculture of exotic species
Non natives already in trade
Industry wishes to continue sustainably
Blue Growth - COM(2012) 673 final
H2020 to unlock growth potential – new species
Industry COP’s - should be natives
(IUCN 2007, Hewett et al 2006)
EC 708/2007 & 304/2011 provide framework
IMPASSE reviewed Alien Species in Aquaculture
Produced ENSARS (risk assessment scheme )

7. Accidental Introduction of IAS
Seed stocks required
Often not available locally to culture area
Movements from one area to another
Brings risk of unintentional transfer
Requirements to check for IAS ?
With movements of native seed within MS ?
Any examples where this already happens ?
Industry codes of practice become important
Discuss example later

8. WFD & Alien species No mention in original WFD text
further work supports inclusion.
Potential anthropogenic impact
ECOSTAT Alien species & WFD implementation
Major constraints & lack of information (Shine et al 2010)
Subsequent work on ID and risk assessments of IAS
UK approach to ID (High, medium, low or unknown impact)
Subsequent ID of High impact IAS
Where feasible and cost effective eradication
Or focus on local containment

9. Procedure for using Alien species data in assessing ecological status
Approach approved by UKTAG

10. WFD risk assessments include Annex IV species ?
UK approach includes some species listed as Annex IV
Common Carp (C. Carpio) pending assessment
Pacific Oyster ( C. Gigas) ranked as moderate risk
Stocking out for Angling purposes or escapees, spat ?
Could jeopardize good ecological status ?
Subject to interpretation
Unclear if species listed in annex IV 708/2007 should be included in this process.
If member states derogate and allowed to stock the wild ?
Potential area for clarification

11. MSFD and Alien Species
IAS explicitly covered under Descriptor 2 (GES indicators)
‘ non indigenous species introduced by human activities are at levels that do not adversely alter the ecosystem’
Commissions criteria for IAS is:
Abundance and state of non indigenous species.
Environmental impact of non indigenous species.
OSPAR technical working group established for NE Atlantic.
Developing common indicators
across NE Atlantic.

12. UK Approach to Descriptor 2 Proposed Indicators
Reduction in risk of introduction (pathways)
Surveillance indicator (abundance/distribution) H/R areas
Specific management plans – high risk species present.
UK recognition of implications
Additional measures - focus on high risk industries (aquaculture ?)
More research on key pathways
Additional monitoring at key locations

13. Regulation & best practices
Achieving Alien species targets of WFD & MSFD
requires :
Appropriate Regulation
&
Sectoral Good Practices
Examples
UK regulatory approach to Alien Species in aquaculture.
Bangor Mussel Producers – Code of good practice

14. UK – Alien species in aquaculture
Alien species and locally absent species in Aquaculture (E&W) regulations 2011
Implements 708/2007, permitting mechanism, powers, Cefas FHI appointed
Aquatic Animal Health (E&W) regulations 2008
APB’s require authorisation, specifies species that may be farmed**.
Same regulator has responsibility (FHI) – gives advice to businesses
Annex IV species
Three mainstays of Aquaculture in E&W are all alien species
Rainbows, Carp & Pacific Oyster (widespread prior to legislation)
Have option to control but policy is to exempt from any regulatory control under ASR legislation
Permitting
No charge for license inspections, escape prevention standards.
Annual inspections at same time as compliance under AAHR.**
Closed sites (routine movements)
Tilapia, Clarias, Barramundi, Pacific shrimp in enclosed systems

15. UK – Alien species in aquaculture
Non routine movements
Full risk assessment of proposed farm/ operation
Two stages of scrutiny
Report from UK NNSS confirms risk level (high, medium, low)
Competent authority decides whether to grant a permit
Costs borne by applicant.
Key point **
Farms legally required to operate a bio-security measures plan to minimise risks of introducing disease.
Concept, not currently applied to risks of introducing IAS as passengers.

16. Bangor mussel producers association Code of good practice

17. Thank you Comments for taking forward the guidance document welcome
Examples of issues and best practice from other MS required