Pets, Aquarium, and Terrarium Species - Convention on Biological ...

<strong>Pets</strong>, <strong>Aquarium</strong>, <strong>and</strong> <strong>Terrarium</strong> <strong>Species</strong>: Best Practices for Addressing Risks to Biodiversity
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Invasive alien species are a direct driver of biodiversity loss, <strong>and</strong> considered a cross-cutting issue of the CBD, a
key matter of relevance to all major biomes. In addition, invasive alien species have been estimated to cost our
economies hundreds of billions of dollars each year, due to both the economic implications of present invasions
to agriculture <strong>and</strong> ecosystem services, as well as the high cost of eradication efforts. At the same time, the pet
trade has the potential to generate significant socio-economic benefits, including benefits for developing states.
The movement of live animals <strong>and</strong> plants around the world, facilitated by increased global trade <strong>and</strong> the accessibility
of online marketing tools, poses a risk of spreading invasive species <strong>and</strong> their associated problems around
the globe more widely <strong>and</strong> more rapidly. The existing international regulatory framework does not cover the
introduction of species such as pets, aquarium, <strong>and</strong> terrarium species, live bait <strong>and</strong> live food, which constitute a
significant risk to ecosystems. Measures which would not impede the trade of species with the lowest risk of harm
to native biodiversity are needed.
One third of the world’s most damaging aquatic invasive species are a result of aquarium or ornamental releases.
The information collected through the expert workshop on best practices for pre-import screening of live animals
held in Indiana, United States of America, from 9 to 11 April 2008 demonstrate that effective prevention strategies
can be targeted where needed though risk-assessment practices. This edition of the CBD Technical Series provides
a resource to those Parties or Governments who wish to establish their own import/export control mechanisms
to determine how they may effectively <strong>and</strong> efficiently evaluate the risks posed by the potential import/export of
live animals <strong>and</strong> plants as pets, aquarium <strong>and</strong> terrariums species as well as mechanisms to control these imports
or exports if the risk level warrants such control.
This publication also provides a list of information resources which may be utilized by those who wish to conduct
a risk assessment on a particular species. As the best predictor of invasiveness is previous invasiveness elsewhere,
these resources are essential tools in the effort to avoid the damage caused by invasive alien species, <strong>and</strong> to protect
native biodiversity <strong>and</strong> local economies.
8