Invasive Species: to eat or not to eat, that is the question

Abstract

Managing invasive species is a current challenge for biodiversity conservation. A recurring recent suggestion is that by harvesting nonnatives for human consumption, people can control invasive populations. Even though humans may be able to control or eradicate certain populations of nonnative species by harvesting them as food sources, several caveats should be considered before starting these programs. A prominent problem is that creating a market engenders pressure to maintain that problematic species. Also, if the target species becomes an economic resource, people may try to recreate that market in previously uninvaded regions. Using invasive species as an economic resource may trigger the local community to protect these harmful species, to facilitate their incorporation into the local culture, and can generate severe management problems. As with other management programs, managers must know if the harvest actually reduces the target population. Mortality could produce a reduction in the population size or growth, or it could be compensatory, in which case removal of the harvested individuals would not affect population growth. However, in addition to possible control, there may be several benefits of this approach, including an opportunity for public outreach. Projects aiming at controlling invasives through human consumption should be carefully examined, as they may produce results opposite to those proposed.

Perspectives for the lionfish invasion in the South Atlantic: Are Brazilian reefs protected by the currents?

“…(Maljkovic et al 2008, Mumby et al 2011, were decimated by overfishing throughout most of the invasive range (Sadovy de Mitcheson et al 2013), lionfish populations have grown unchecked, reaching biomass estimates 6 to 13 times greater than in their native range (Darling et al 2011, Kulbicki et al 2012. Measures to deter the spread of lionfish are considered by some to be ineffective and/or to have the potential to cause more harm than good (Barbour et al 2011, Nuñez et al 2012. The future of Caribbean reef fishes faces a bleak perspective (Albins & Hixon 2011).…”

Ecologia e controle da invasão de Pinus elliottii no campo cerrado

“…De maneira geral, espécies invasoras com potencial econômico tendem a ser protegidas por cidadãos, governos ou mercados. Uma vez criado um mercado de consumo destas espécies, torna-se difícil removê-las da economia local e, em um cenário pior, o sucesso deste mercado pode servir como modelo para outros locais e a espécie pode passar a ser disseminada intencionalmente para suprir o mercado e continuar gerando renda (Nuñez et al, 2012). No caso de Pinus elliottii no Cerrado, a espécie é plantada para a exploração comercial.…”

Critical considerations in Acacia mearnsii eradication: A case from South Africa

“…However, caution must be exercised where this approach is adopted. Nuñez et al (2012) have given two reasons why this approach is problematic. One of the reasons is that if the target species becomes an economic resource, people may try to recreate its market in previously uninvaded regions, thus worsening the invasion.…”