The apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata: an evidence note on invasiveness and potential economic impacts for East Africa

Abstract

This paper was prepared as part of the Action on Invasives and Plantwise Plus programmes. Action on Invasives is supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Netherlands Directorate General for International Cooperation (DGIS). Plantwise Plus, in addition to FCDO and DGIS, is also funded by European Commission Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development (DEVCO) and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). We thank the survey respondents, including those whose partial responses have been quoted with their permission.CABI is an international intergovernmental organization, and we gratefully acknowledge the core financial support from our member countries (and lead agencies) including the UK (FCDO), China (Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Australia (Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research), Canada (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada), the Netherlands (DGIS) and Switzerland (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation). See http://www.cabi.org/about-cabi/who-we-work-with/key-donors/ for full details.

Assessment of the socio‐economic impacts associated with the arrival of apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) in Mwea irrigation scheme, Kenya

“…1 In many African countries, rice production has grown rapidly, constituting a major part of the diet and it is recognized as an increasingly important staple food. 2,3 According to the Kenyan Ministry of Agriculture, rice is the third most important cereal crop after maize and wheat in the country, with consumption increasing much more rapidly than production and expected to reach 1 292 000 tons by 2030. 4,5 Rice has therefore been identified as a priority value chain by the National Agriculture Investment Plan (NAIP 2018-2028), which seeks to encourage Kenya's agricultural transformation towards sustainable food and nutrition security and socio-economic development.…”

“…20,21 The arrival of P. canaliculata presents a serious threat to Africa's rice growing regions. 2 The genus Pomacea is thought to consist of approximately 50 species. 22 Indigenous to South America, the two most documented species, Pomacea canaliculata and Pomacea maculata Perry have often been referred to collectively as 'golden apple snails'.…”

“…23,24 Pomacea canaliculata and Pomacea maculata were deliberately and repeatedly introduced into East and South-east Asian ricegrowing regions during the 1980s, promoted as high protein food sources for both domestic consumption and gastronomic export. 2 However, they have become highly successful invaders in East and South-east Asian rice growing regions, with serious consequences for agricultural yields, livelihoods, biodiversity, natural ecosystems and human health. 2 Following introduction, a combination of prohibitive health import regulations from foreign markets, unpalatability and an associated decline in market value, resulted in negligence whereby snails were released/escaped into public waterways and irrigation systems.…”

“…2 However, they have become highly successful invaders in East and South-east Asian rice growing regions, with serious consequences for agricultural yields, livelihoods, biodiversity, natural ecosystems and human health. 2 Following introduction, a combination of prohibitive health import regulations from foreign markets, unpalatability and an associated decline in market value, resulted in negligence whereby snails were released/escaped into public waterways and irrigation systems. 2,25 Subsequent spread via irrigated systems was widespread and rapid.…”

“…2 Following introduction, a combination of prohibitive health import regulations from foreign markets, unpalatability and an associated decline in market value, resulted in negligence whereby snails were released/escaped into public waterways and irrigation systems. 2,25 Subsequent spread via irrigated systems was widespread and rapid. For example, Naylor (1996) assessed the occurrence of Pomacea snails in several Asian countries and found it increased from 2% up to 28% of total rice area within 4 years in Taiwan; in Japan, they infested 34 of 47 rice growing districts; in the Philippines infestation rose from under 3% to 15%; and in Vietnam within 5 years snails were reported in all rice growing provinces.…”