Codes of practice and manual of procedures for consideration of introductions and transfers of marine and freshwater organisms

Prepared by the ICES Working Group on Introductions and Transfers of Marine and Freshwater Organisms and by the Working Party on Introductions of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission. Introductions or transfers of marine and freshwater organisms in support of aquaculture or various fishing initiatives have been increasing in numbers quite rapidly in recent years. This document, prepared as a more detailed follow-up to the Codes of Practice (reported in CRR 130, 1984) related to these movements which were prepared by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC), addresses some of the concerns and provides advice related to proposed introductions or transfers. Areas covered are inspection and certification, quarantine, pathology, genetics and ecology. Universal concerns in the above mentioned areas which are common to any introduction or transfer are outlined, as are those related to importations or other movements which are part of established commercial practice or those related to scientific study at research facilities. Specific examples of protocols, mainly related to controlling disease organism spread, are included as are items related to the methods of handling requests for introductions either at the national or international level.