Data from: Emerging risks of non-native species escapes from aquaculture: call for policy improvements in China and other developing countries

1. Global aquaculture relies heavily on the farming of non-native aquatic
species (hereafter, NAS). NAS escapes from aquaculture facilities can
result in serious aquatic bio-invasions, which has been an important issue
in the FAO Blue Growth Initiative. A regulatory quagmire regarding NAS
farming and escapes, however, exists in most developing countries. 2. We
discuss aquaculture expansion and NAS escapes, illustrate emerging risks,
and propose recommendations for improved aquaculture management across
developing countries and particularly for China. 3. In China, 68 NAS are
known to have successfully established feral populations in natural
habitats due to recurrent leakages or escapes; among the 68 NAS, 52
represent risks to native aquatic ecosystems. In addition to affecting a
country’s own biodiversity and ecosystem functions, NAS escapees can also
threaten the biosecurity of shared waters in neighboring countries. 4.
Policy implications. Non-native aquatic species (NAS) escapes have already
had adverse ecological effects in China and other developing countries.
The importance of this problem, however, is not adequately recognized by
current conservation policies in developing countries. To conserve
biodiversity and to support the goal of FAO’s sustainable aquaculture,
developing countries should now take responsible actions to address NAS
escapes through policy and management improvements. Specifically, these
countries should pass comprehensive legislation, establish effective
agencies and national standards and planning, and enhance integrated
research and education to deal with risk assessment, prevention,
monitoring, and control of NAS escapes. Given that China is the world’s
largest aquacultural producer, China can create a model for other
developing countries that will increase the biosecurity and sustainability
of global aquaculture.