Assessment of the Environmental Risk Posed by an Exotic Fish: The Proposed Introduction of Channel Catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ) to New Zealand

In 1987, a proposal was made to introduce channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) into New Zealand for aquaculture. An environmental impact assessment in support of the proposal incorporated details of channel catfish biology, its value to people, diseases, the history of introductions elsewhere, and possible impacts on New Zealand biota should the species become established in the wild. Although information on the environmental impacts of channel catfish introduced to other countries was limited and inadequate for assessing potential effects on freshwater ecosystems in New Zealand, a permit was granted to import fertilized eggs. These were hatched in quarantine, and subject to the favorable outcome of environmental trials were to be released for aquaculture. Subsequently, the requirement for trials was abandoned and instead an independent, two‐man review team (the authors) was appointed to advise the Minister of Fisheries on whether the environmental risk posed by channel catfish was acceptable. The team considered the impact assessment and additional submissions from interested parties. The team concluded that there was a high probability that fish would escape and that they would be capable of breeding and growing in a wide range of freshwater environments throughout much of New Zealand. Because channel catfish are omnivorous, they would probably prey on at least some native fish species and introduced salmonids, invertebrates including freshwater crayfish, and aquatic macrophytes. Competition to the detriment of other fishes was also considered likely. Furthermore, the low species diversity and ecological simplicity of fish communities in New Zealand could allow channel catfish opportunities not found within their natural range, as in parts of western North America where they have had significant impacts on freshwater communities. Because the evidence indicated that one or more valued species was likely to suffer a decline in abundance or distribution if channel catfish were introduced, the review team recommended that the environmental risk posed by the fish was unacceptable. The recommendation was accepted by the Minister of Fisheries and all the channel catfish held in quarantine were destroyed. This case clearly demonstrated weaknesses in the importation procedure in New Zealand and subsequently some changes have been made. In general, we recommend a four‐step importation procedure comprising (1) environmental impact assessment, (2) publicity, (3) independent review, and (4) implementation. We suggest that the second step is most crucial.