Foreign fish threaten local species

Competition for food and space affects marine life, says expert

MULTAN:

Imported fish species are threatening local varieties, whose production has decreased recently, according to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

Referring to the report, Assistant Professor of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture (MNSUA), Dr Naheed Bano, said the reduction in local fish production was caused by the presence of foreign fish in water reservoirs.

She shared that as many as 130 kinds of freshwater fish are available in Pakistan, of whom only 30 types are economically beneficial, including Rahu, Thaela, Baam, Mori, Palla, Singhala, Khaga, Chandi and Mahasher.

In addition, destruction of the natural habitat, pollution and climate change all threaten marine life, the academician said, adding that several countries have already faced shortage of local varieties of fish due to the introduction of foreign species.

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For example, Dr Bano explained, when tail perch was introduced to Victoria Lake in Eastern Africa, its local type Cichlids fell prey and ultimately ceased to exist. Later, the tail perch also died due to a shortage of food.

In the United States, during the 1970s, four kinds of fish were introduced .which included big bead carp, black carp, grass carp and silver carp, the expert stated. The fish managed to enter the Mississippi river and alter the food chain.

For protecting the ecosystem, it is imperative to fish out the foreign species from fresh water, Dr Bano said.