Introduced marine organisms and management approaches by administrative agencies in Japan
2007
Iwasaki, K.(Nara Univ. (Japan). Inst. for Natural Science)
I reviewed the present state of introduced marine organisms in Japan, together with related taxonomic problems and the official management measures to prevent further introduction. There have been forty non-indigenous marine species recognised to date in Japanese waters: 18 species presumably introduced via shipping, 17 via fisheries activities or by unintentional release, 5 species via aquarium industries or unknown vectors. Damages caused by non-indigenous species to native species and industries are various, but some species are known to pose a threat to native ecosystems, fisheries and the power industry. The Invasive Alien Species Act, which designates the concerned species and legislates aspects of their increase, importation and handling, was enforced in June 2005 by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. However, no marine organisms were designated as invasive alien species, and therefore no management measures against them were legislated in this Act. In 2005, the Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport published a survey report on ballast water shipping in and out of Tokyo Bay and the problems involved. However, this report includes very little information or referrals to scientific studies on the non-indigenous species introduced via ballast water and the consequences involved. There have only been very poor attempts by these administrative agencies to address the problems caused by the introduction of invasive marine organisms thus far. I wish to stress the importance of the role of scientists to inform the public and official agencies with data on the concerned fauna and flora with assessments of the impacts of the non-indigenous marine species to enable better management and preventative methods to be enforced.
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