Assessing the socio-economic impacts of priority marine invasive fishes in the Mediterranean with the newly proposed SEICAT methodology

Abstract

The assessment of impacts of alien species is one of the most critical steps for the prioritisation of policy and management actions and this requires assessment schemes that can compare impacts across different taxa, ecosystems and socio-economic contexts. The Environmental and Socio-Economic Impact Classification of Alien Species (EICAT and SEICAT) are two methodologies that facilitate such comparisons. They classify alien taxa along a 5-level, semi-quantitative scale based on the magnitude of their impacts on the environment and human well-being, respectively. In this study, we applied both protocols to seven invasive marine fishes that that are already considered “high-risk” and have been singled out for monitoring in relation to fisheries in the Mediterranean (Plotosus lineatus, Pterois miles/volitans, Fistularia commersonii, Lagocephalus sceleratus, Siganus rivulatus/Siganus luridus and Saurida lessepsianus). Here, we focus in particular on their socio-economic impacts. By systematically reviewing the published literature and scoring the demonstrated impacts we show that the taxa with the highest environmental impacts (Major) are P. miles/volitans and the two siganids. In contrast, L. sceleratus had the highest socio-economic impact (Moderate) and highest number of impact records. The high and uniform densities of P. lineatus caused widespread, albeit less severe, impacts in the invaded areas. Human activities that are primarily affected by the selected taxa are commercial and recreational fishing and other recreational uses of the sea through impacts on, mainly, material assets and human health. We found significant data gaps regarding the species’ environmental impacts, especially relating to predation, and make specific recommendations for future research. The links between environmental and socio-economic impacts, especially their cultural dimensions, are poorly documented and require novel approaches. Surveys specifically adapted to capture the distinction between socio-economic impact classes would strengthen our confidence in the assessments and better inform prioritisation and decision-making.

First results on the diet of the invasive Pterois miles (Actinopterygii: Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae) in the Hellenic waters

“…In conclusion, lionfish are generalist opportunistic ambush feeders, which makes them especially successful predators and can confer high ecological impact on native Mediterranean communities (Galanidi et al 2018), as dramatically ascertained in the invaded Caribbean ecosystem (Albins andHixon 2008, Côté et al 2013).…”

Horizon scanning for invasive alien species with the potential to threaten biodiversity and human health on a Mediterranean island

“…Within the marine environment one of the IAS that has impacts upon biodiversity and human health is the striped eel catfish, Plotosus lineatus (Galil 2018). This species has venom glands in its dorsal and pectoral spines and in glandular cells in its skin that secrete a potent toxin (Galil et al 2017;Galanidi et al 2018). The injuries it can inflict, particularly on fisheries personnel, can be severe (Gweta et al 2008).…”

Advancing impact assessments of non-native species: strategies for strengthening the evidence-base

“…Our framework aims at strengthening the existing standards towards transparency and reproducibility in NNS impact assessments, in line with current scientific trends. For example, recently, Galanidi et al (2018) applied the EICAT protocol for prioritizing marine invasive fishes in the Mediterranean and published the full underlying evidence base, detailing for each impact encountered (not only the worst ones) the geographical area where the impact was recorded and the study design of the manuscript reporting it. In that sense, our proposal to build and publish the evidence base responds to the needs identified by the scientific community.…”