Non-Indigenous Parasites of Fish in Inland Waters of Croatia

Abstract

Non-indigenous parasite fauna of freshwater fish has not been studied extensively in Croatia, despite the long history of introductions and translocations of alien fish species into inland waters. Negative implications for aquaculture production and wild native fish species have been frequently associated with the introduction of non-native parasite species. Hence, the present paper attempts to lay out a historical overview of the suspected localities, time frames and pathways of introduction for non-indigenous fish parasites into inland waters of Croatia, therefore producing a list of species. In total, 16 non-native fish parasites have been recorded in inland waters of Croatia, aquaculture establishments being identified as initial points of introduction. However, a paucity of information exists on the overall prevalence of infection as well as the economic impact on aquaculture production. In addition, limited information is available about the presence and potential ecological impact of non-indigenous parasites on endemic fish fauna in areas of high biodiversity, such as the water bodies of the Adriatic Sea Basin. Therefore, there is an urgent need and opportunity for multidisciplinary cooperation between different stakeholders, including government, scientists, in both biological and veterinary disciplines, and the industry, with the aim of extensive surveys to determine the potential impact on aquaculture production and wild fish population of high conservation value.

Changing climate may mitigate the invasiveness risk of non-native salmonids in the Danube and Adriatic basins of the Balkan Peninsula (south-eastern Europe)

“…Furthermore, accidental escapees from fish farms can be a source of pathogen transmission to wild stocks (Krkošek et al 2007;Rosenberg 2008) and this is another important threat still understudied (Wood et al 2021). Despite tight trade measures, established customs and quarantine methods and protocols related to transboundary aquatic diseases in the Member States of the EU, introductions of new pathogens into aquaculture are still occurring (Peters et al 2018;Pofuk 2021). Similarly, biosecurity regulations in the countries of the risk assessment area are well-developed for aquaculture, although inspection and control do not function well, whereas regulations remained completely undeveloped for the purposes of openwater re-stocking (Pofuk 2021).…”