Managing exploitation of freshwater species and aggregates to protect and restore freshwater biodiversity

Abstract

For millennia humans have extracted biological and physical resources from the planet to sustain societies and enable the development of technology and infrastructure. Growth in the human population and changing consumption patterns have increased the human footprint on ecosystems and their biodiversity, including in fresh waters. Freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity face many threats and it is now widely accepted that we are in a biodiversity crisis. One means of protecting and restoring freshwater biodiversity is to better manage the exploitation of freshwater biota and aggregate resources (e.g., sand, gravel, boulders). Here we outline the threats arising from such exploitation and identify response options to ensure that methods and levels of extraction are sustainable and allow recovery of over-exploited freshwater biodiversity and ecosystems. The guidance we provide will enable practitioners, policy makers, and resource stewards to embrace effective, sustainable, and evidence-based approaches to resource extraction. Response options for managing species exploitation include strengthening assessment and reporting, using science-based approaches to reduce overexploitation and support recovery, embracing community engagement, and building or tightening legislation. Response options for managing exploitation of freshwater aggregate resources include reducing demand for harvest, strengthening governance, reporting, and monitoring of environmental impacts, and promoting the restoration of degraded ecosystems or compensating for losses. Diverse case studies highlight examples of where various management actions have been implemented in an effort to consider how they can be scaled up and adapted to other contexts. Managing exploitation will be a key aspect of broader initiatives needed to protect and restore freshwater biodiversity around the globe.

Mining threats in high‐level biodiversity conservation policies

“…Although discussions on the sustainable cities transition center on green infrastructure and nature-based solutions, these documents also advocate for sustainable materials and improved spatial planning that accounts for the impact of urban communities on nearby and distant ecosystems, following the metacoupling framework (Liu, 2017). Yet, the full reach of the threat posed by mining construction minerals to biodiversity remains uncertain due to knowledge and data gaps (Cooke et al, 2023;Torres, zu Ermgassen, et al, 2022). Our results show that current policies still fall short of clear statements and outcomes regarding the reporting and monitoring of mining threats, especially related to construction minerals.…”

Who is likely to have illegal eel products after the market regulations?

“…For example, a study analysed the Chinese fishery-banning policy and suggested that fishery regulation bringing successful biodiversity outcomes requires adjusting regulations to local and regional needs (Chen et al, 2020). Another example of the research suggested the importance of transitioning to alternative food sources and assessing their potential issues before making conservation efforts for endangered freshwater fish (Cooke et al, 2023). Thus, policymakers should consider the potential shifts in consumers' food preferences resulting from the regulations before making decisions regarding regulation and enforcement.…”

“…The anguillid eel species, especially Anguilla japonica (Japanese eel), requires consumers' behavioural change as high consumer demand exacerbates the eel fishery (Cooke et al, 2023). It is decreasing worldwide and has been classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List (Dekker, 2003) Pike et al 2020).…”