Terms of Reference

Science Advice on the potential risk of introducing live organisms by the aquarium, water garden, and live food trades in Canada

National Peer Review - National Capital Region

June 1-4, 2020
Virtual meeting

Chairperson: Marten Koops

Context

Thousands of live aquatic organisms (fishes, vascular aquatic plants, invertebrates) are imported to Canada each year through the aquarium, water garden, and live food trades. The provinces/territories and DFO’s Ecosystems Management sector, through the federal/provincial/territorial Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Minsters’ National Aquatic Invasive Species Committee (NAISC), have requested scientific advice about the invasion risk posed by these pathways across Canada. Previous CSAS processes have evaluated the screening-level risk posed by specific organisms imported to Canada through live trades based on species import volume and estimates of species survival and establishment; however, significant uncertainties remain about: 1) the scope and scale of pathways themselves (i.e. species supply chains) in Canada, including key entry points, distribution hubs, retailers, and consumers, 2) the movement and release behaviour of end-users (i.e. consumers), and, 3) the composition of species associated with each pathway. Overcoming these uncertainties would allow spatially derived statistical estimates of species introduction effort (propagule pressure) to be developed for each pathway, which would help to significantly refine current estimates of invasion risk. Characterizing this component of invasion risk will inform management and policy at regional and national levels by (i) developing a better understanding of key control points, (ii) informing future research priorities, (iii) developing monitoring programs, and (iv) establishing communication strategies for high-risk components.

Objectives

The overarching objective of this National CSAS Advisory Process is to assess the pathway–level introduction risk posed by the aquarium, water garden, and live food pathways in Canada. Working paper(s) will be reviewed and will provide the basis for discussion on the specific objectives outlined below:

1. Characterize the movement of species in trade into and within Canada, including components such as the number and spatial distribution of species entry points, distributor hubs, retailers, and end users (consumers).
2. Characterize the behaviour of end users (consumers) that allows propagules to be released.
3. Based on available data, identify aquatic species-in-trade in Canada.
4. Develop spatially-based estimates of propagule pressure, per pathway, including a description of key uncertainties.
5. Identify critical control points of each pathway.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Research Document(s)
• Proceedings

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)
• Other government departments, including provincial/territorial governments facilitated through NAISC
• Other invited experts

References

Bradie, J., Chivers, C., and Leung, B. 2013. Importing risk: quantifying the propagule pressure-establishment relationship at the pathway level. Diversity and Distributions 19(8): 1020-1030.

Gantz, C., Mandrak, N.E., and Keller, R.P. 2014. . Application of an Aquatic Plant Risk Assessment to Non-Indigenous Freshwater Plants in Trade in Canada. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2014/096 v + 31 p.

Mandrak, N.E., Gantz, C., Jones, L.A., Marson, D., and Cudmore, B. 2014. Evaluation of Five Freshwater Fish Screening-Level Risk Assessment Protocols and Application to Non-Indigenous Organisms in Trade in Canada. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2013/122. V + 125 p.

Schroeder, B., Mandrak, N.E., and Cudmore, B.C. 2014. . Application of a Freshwater Mollusc Risk Assessment to Non-indigenous Organisms in Trade in Canada. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2013/060. V + 26 p.