Freshwater Biodiversity Toolbox
Invasive Species Regulations
Invasive species adversely impact their introduced environments by causing environmental, ecological, and economic damages. Due to the reproductive biology and competitive strength of many invasive species, they can be extremely difficult or impossible to eradicate once established. Common pathways of introduction for invasive species into aquatic environments are through the bait industry and recreational boating. In certain Canadian regions, policies currently exist that prohibit the use of certain aquatic organisms such as crayfish or leeches as bait for recreational fishing. In some areas it is also illegal to dump the contents of a bait bucket into water, the shore, or on ice during winter seasons. Invasive species can also be transferred from one body of water to another when recreational boat users do not properly clean their boats between waterbodies. Invasive species can attach themselves to any outer region of the boat, on the deck, and especially when caught up in the motor. These regulations exist to protect native species and biodiversity, but when these policies are absent or are not strictly enforced, invasive species can easily spread.
Rating:
Both syntheses scored poorly in CEESAT demonstrating limitations in the rigour and the transparency in which the synthesis was conducted (i.e., no a-priori protocol, critical appraisal, or search strategy provided). Important aspects of a review such as eligibility criteria and effect modifiers were explored but not in a systematic fashion, with many key details not included.
Both syntheses scored 4 (Gold) in all but one RASCAT element; Kerr et al. (2005) was not recently published and therefore scored Amber in this element of RASCAT.
Photo credit: Robert and Jean Pollock/Science Source
