1. Risk analysis mussels transfer
20/06/2018
Risk analysis mussels transfer
Jeroen Wijsman, Aad Smaal
Institute for Marine Resources and Ecosystem Studies, The Netherlands
ICSR’06 Charleston

2. Contents Mussel culture Netherlands Import from Irish and Celtic Seas
Exotic species
Risk assessment
Conclusions

3. Mussel culture in the Netherlands
Percelen WS

5. Fluctuating resources

6. Import of mussels to fulfill needs

7. Import from Irish and Celtic seas
Import from various locations in Western European waters
Annual import
ton total
ton from Irish and Celtic Seas

9. Import from Irish and Celtic seas
Transport in big bags on conditioned trucks
hrs out of the water
Juveniles (20%)
→directly on culture plots
Consumption (80%)
Natural watering sites
Containers

10. Exotic species
With import of mussels risk of introducing exotic species into the Oosterschelde
Exotic species could potentially effect functioning of the Oosterschelde ecosystem (Special Area of Conservation)
Once introduced, it is very difficult/impossible to control/remove
Examples: Crepidula fornicata (1929), Crasostrea gigas (1964)
Legislation through permits
Risk analysis

11. Import exotic species through shellfish transfer
20/06/2018
Import exotic species through shellfish transfer
NE Atlantic shelf region
Exotic species

12. Introduction of exotic species in the Oosterschelde
Last decade: 1.7 new species year-1

13. Introduction of new NE-Atlantic species in the Oosterschelde
Last decade: 5.3 new species year-1

14. Increasing introductions into Oosterschelde
More transportation (ships, shellfish)
More and better observations (recreational divers)
Changing climate

15. Chance of successful introduction
Target species
Target species
Step 2.
Introduction capacity
Chance of successful introduction
Risk analysis
Step 3.
impact x
Ecological impact =
Risk
Exotics Irish/Celtic Sea
Exotics Oosterschelde
Step 1.
Selection Target species

16. Results Risk Analysis Oosterschelde 69 exotic species (this study)
74 exotic species in Irish and British marine waters (Minchin and Eno, 2002)
22 species unknown for the Oosterschelde (target species)
14 species could permanently establish permanent populations in the Oosterschelde

17. Results Risk Analysis
3 of the target species are known as pest species (Alexandrium tamarense, Karenia mikimotoi, Urosalpinx cinerea)

18. Conclusions/Recommendations
Risk of introducing harmful exotic species into the Oosterschelde is low but not absent
Develop a risk management programme
Further research on A. tamarense, K. mikimotoi and U. cinerea
Monitor development of exotic species in Ireland and UK
Monitor species composition of the import

19. Contributers to this study
20/06/2018
Contributers to this study
E. Brummelhuis; K. Kaag; C. Karman, E. Foekema (IMARES, The Netherlands)
H. Hummel (NIOO-CEME, The Netherlands)
R. Wenne, T. Kijewski, M. Zbawicka (Institute of Oceanology PAS Sopot, Poland)
R. Seed, J. Bussell, L. Oliver (SOC, Univ. Wales Bangor)
M. de Kluijver (Grontmij | AquaSense, The Netherlands)
F. O’Beirn (Marine Institute, Galway Ireland)
© Wageningen UR

20. Import from Irish and Celtic seas
5.0
1.3
16.4
4.1

21. Import exotic species through shellfish transfer
20/06/2018
Import exotic species through shellfish transfer
NE Atlantic shelf region
Exotic species
NE Atlantic shelf species