Freshwater Exotic Fishes: Problems & Prospects

The indiscriminate transfer of exotic fish species has brought about a wide array of problems including extirpation of indigenous species. The exotics compete with the indigenous species for food, habitat and may even prey upon them, introduce new parasites and diseases, result in the production of hybrids and cause genetic 'erosion' of indigenous species and degradation of the physico-chemical nature of aquatic ecosystems. The potential risks not only affect the biodiversity, but also the socio-economic aspects of the human community that depend on aquatic ecosystems for their sustenance:The first attempt to document fish introductions on a giobal scale was undertaken by FAO under the stewardship of Dr. Robin Welcome. There are 1354 introductions of 237 species into 140 countries. Out of 237 species recorded from 140 countries, it is interesting to note that only 9 species have gained entry to more than 30 countries. Among 9 species, it is the common carp, black tilapia and rainbow trout that have become pan-global in distribution, with each species being introduced in more than 50 host countries.The present book deals with the introduction of freshwater exotic fishes and their performance. With its application oriented and interdisciplinary approach, we hope that the students, teachers, researchers, fishery scientists, policy makers and environmental lawyers will find this volume much more useful.CONTENTSIntroduction of Exotic Fish Species; Exotic Fish Introduction in India; Materials and Methods; Majalgaon Reservoir; Wan Reservoir; Harni (Katgaon) Reservoir; Gharni Reservoir; Siddeshwar Reservoir; Bhategaon Reservoir; Conclusion and RecommendationsTHE AUTHORSDr. Vishwas Balasaheb Sakhare is Head, Post Graduate Department of Zoology, Yogeshwari Mahavidyalaya, Ambajogai.He has 15 years' experience as an outstanding teacher andresearcher. He is recipient of fellowship of Indian Association of Aquatic Biologists, Hyderabad. He has done pioneering work in the field of Reservoir Fisheries and Limnology. Dr. Sakhare has successfully organized National Conference on Emerging Trends in Fisheries and Aquaculture (ETFA-2012), National Workshop on Techniques of Scientific Writing (TSW-2014), National Conference on Current Perspectives in Limnology (NCCPL-2009) and Regional Workshop on* Water Quality Assessment (Implications in Potability, Productivity and Pollution control).Dr. Sakhare has supervised a research project funded by University Grants Commission, New Delhi and he is a recognized post graduate teacher and research guide of Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad, Solapur University, Solapur and J.J. T.University, Rajasthan. Under his guidance three students have completed Ph.D. He has published more than 50 research articles and reviews in peer reviewed journals and about 70 marathi articles in newspapers and magazines.Dr. B.Vasanthkumar is presently working as Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Zoology at Government Degree Arts and Science College, Karwar, Karnataka. He is recipient of summer research fellowship of Indian Academy of Science for year 2014. He has published more than 55 research papers in the national and international journals and more than 50 popular science articles in different aspects of ecology and environment. He has also published 12 text books for under graduate students of Karnataka University, Dharwad. He is co-author of reference books like 'Aquatic Ecosystem and its management' 'Applied Ecology 'Advances in Aquatic Ecology (Volume 7 & 8) and 'Emerging Trends in Fisheries and Aquaculture'. Presently Dr.Vasanthkunar is working as Principal Investigator with Major Research Project funded by University Grants Commission.