National Report SPAIN Spanish Catalogue of Invasive Alien Species

National Report
SPAIN
Spanish Catalogue of Invasive Alien
Species
Isabel Lorenzo Iñigo

Index
• Current situation
– Law 42/2007 on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity
– National Projects
– 3 Strategies
– Regional Communities
• Future situation
– Spanish Catalogue of Invasive Alien Species

Current situation
Law 42/2007, 13th December, on the Conservation of the
Natural Heritage and Biodiversity, the major legal corpus in
nature conservation
• Article 52.2 – Public administrations
will ban the introduction of species,
subspecies or breeds when they are
subject to compete with wild indigenous
species, modify its genetic purity or the
ecological balances.
• Article 61 - Creates the Spanish
Catalogue of Invasive Alien Species
• Article 62.3.e – In relation to fishing
and hunting activities it is forbidden the
introduction of exotic species

Current situation
With the actual regulatory framework the main activities are
centralised in specific projects.
In coordination with the regional authorities, the Spanish
Ministry of Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs continues
with the implementation of national or local projects.
• National control of Ruddy duck (Oxyura
jamaicensis) – Conservation Strategy of
White headed-duck (Oxyura leucocephala)
• Control of American mink (Mustela vison)
in areas where the European mink, one of
the most endangered carnivore species in
the world, is present – Conservation Strategy
of European mink (Mustela lutreola)
Additionally, a
number of projects
implemented with
LIFE financial
support address the
IAS management

Current situation
Dedicated budget lines of the Ministry for 2010:
• Conservation project of European mink Mustela lutreola
and management of American mink Neovison vison
populations.
• National Water Basins
- Management and restoration projects for the
Dreissena polymorpha, Eichornia crassipes, Procambarus
clarkii and alien fish species.
- Zebra mussel National Control Strategy

Current situation
Actions for the control of American Mink – Since 2003 > 3000
individuals
Burgos, Álava, La Rioja, Navarra, Soria, Palencia, Segovia, Cataluña, Teruel,
Zaragoza, Castellón, La Coruña y Lugo.
GENERAL OBJECTIVE:
Support Biodiversity in rivers and wetlands
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
Remove invasive species populations within the
area of European mink distribution.
Population control of feral American mink out of
the influence area of the native species.
© WWF/Adena
WITH OUT THIS WORK – EXTINCTION OF EUROPEAN MINK-

Current situation
Legislation:
Regional Communities
- Valencia: Law – Decree 213/2009, 20th November, by which IAS control measures in
Valencia Regional Community are approved
- Castilla la Mancha: The species declared as IAS are Ameiurus melas, Ictalurus
punctatus, Silurus glanis, Pacifastacus leniusculus, Procambarus clarkii, Alburnus
alburnus, Gobio gobio, Leppomis gibosus and Sander Lucioperca
Programs:
- Andalucía: Andalucian Program for IAS control
Projects:
- Baleares Islands: Actions on IAS - Pennisetum villosum, Pennisetum setaceum,
Eichornia crassipes, Cotula coronifolia, Carpobrotus, Hydrocolite bonariense,
Limonium, Estrilda astrild, Procyon lotor, Nasua nasua, Myiopsitta monachus, Podarcis
simula.
Also: Rodent eradication in Sa Dragonera (260 hectares), rattus rattus and mus musculus have
been eradicated, captures of feral pigs and pigs hybridized with wild boar (Sus scrofa) and feral
goats.
…

Future situation
Law on the Conservation of the Natural Heritage and
Biodiversity from 2007, the major legal framework in nature
conservation, creates the Spanish Catalogue of Invasive Alien
Species dependent on the Ministry of Environment, Rural and
Marine Affairs
• This National Catalogue is in process of
elaboration
• The Regulatory implementation is planned by
means of Royal Decree
• It is expected to come into force in 2012.

Future situation
Law 42/2007, 13th December. Article 61
1. Creates the Spanish Catalogue of Invasive Alien Species and defines
that it should include all the invasive alien species when there are
technical or scientific info reflecting a serious threat for indigenous
species, habitats or ecosystems, agronomy or for the economic resources
associated to the use of natural heritage.
2. Species are included by the Ministry when technical or scientific
information is available. Any person or organization could request to
initiate the process for the inclusion by filing the application together with
presentation of scientific reasons.
3. The inclusion in the Catalogue of one species leads to the general
prohibition of POSSESION, TRANSPORT, TRAFIC AND TRADE OF
ALIVE OR DIED INDIVIDUALS, of their remains or propagules,
INCLUDING FOREING TRADE. This ban could be subjected to
derogations for the purpose of research, health or human security.

Future situation
4. Regional Communities will monitor potential invasive alien
species, especially those that have demonstrate this character in other
countries or regions, in order to, if needed, lead to the inclusion in the
Catalogue.
5. The Ministry and the Regional Communities within the framework of
National Commission on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity will prepare
Strategies with the guidelines for management, control and possible
eradication of the species included in the Catalogue. Prioritization will be
taken considering the risk for threatened native fauna, flora or habitats
with a particular attention on island biodiversity.
6. Regional Communities could also develop their own Catalogues.

Future situation
Lists
- Catalogue: Article 61.1 – serious threat
Article 61.3 – Effect: Not possession, transport,
traffic and trade, including
foreign trade
- List of IAS: Art. 61.4 - species with potential of entail a threat
species with lack or controversial information
Effect: It is totally forbidden to introduce them in
the nature

Future situation
Royal Decree under preparation:
• Definition of the content and characteristics of inclusion of new species
• Creation of a Scientific Committee
• Effects: possibility of declaring activities for the control and eradication as of public
use
• Synergy with Liability legislation
• Risk analysis for new imports
• Early Warning Network: Regional Communities focal points, information technology
open to public participation
• Measures for management, control and possible eradication of established species,
including public awareness
• Management, control and possible eradication Strategies
• Transitory requirements
• Specificity for islands

Future situation
Main issues under discussion:
- What to do with species already established in Spain
and that have been used with different intention? i.e.
Species of flora in nursery
Species for fishing and hunting
Pets
For flora
- Economic interest.
- Until specific legislation is developed the competent
authorities would be able to allow the maintenance of
catalogued species, subject to delivery of a report, in
Botanic Gardens or Botanic Centers
- Difference for Canary Island – Macaronesia
Biogeographical Region

Future situation
Fishing and Hunting
- Art. 62.3.e
- Conditions to the actual management
- Define the areas of exploitation within a year to control
de possible expansion
- Not use IAS as alive or dead bait
- Specificity for Canary Island: no rivers

Future situation
Pets
- Inform within a year of the possession
- Competent authorities (Reg. Comm.) could establish systems of
identification, if possible.
- Obligation to inform if escaped
- Not commerce or cession
- Competent authorities should facilitate the return of individuals if so
decided by owners. Shops could by entitled for this matter temporally.
- Transitional requirements for industry

Future situation
Thank you very much
Muchas gracias
Invasive species: the car