Exotic Aquatic Organisms - International Development Research ...
Exotic Aquatic Organisms - International Development Research ...
Exotic Aquatic Organisms - International Development Research ...
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<strong>Exotic</strong> <strong>Aquatic</strong> Species in Thailand<br />
TWESUKDI PIYAKARNCHANA<br />
Department of Marine Science<br />
Faculty of Science<br />
Chulalongkorn University<br />
Bangkok, Thailand<br />
Piyakamchana, T. 1989. <strong>Exotic</strong> aquatic species in Thailand, p. 119-124. In S.S. De Silva (ed.) <strong>Exotic</strong> <strong>Aquatic</strong> <strong>Organisms</strong> in<br />
Asia. Proceedings of the Workshop on Introduction of <strong>Exotic</strong> <strong>Aquatic</strong> <strong>Organisms</strong> in Asia. Asian Fish. Soc.<br />
Spec. Pub!. 3, 154p. Asian Fisheries Society, Manila, Philippines.<br />
The first record of an exotic aquatic species in Thailand can be traced back to Ayudhaya period of about the year<br />
1691-1692. At present there are about 15 species of fishes which were introduced for aquaculture purposes. Among them<br />
only a few are confirmed as reproducing in the natural habitats. The exotic species in the aquarium trade on the contrary<br />
were reported to increase rapidly from 69 species in 1963 to about 92 in 1988. Only 3 fish diseases were recorded to come<br />
from these exotic species. Records on the real impact to the natural ecosystem from the introduced species are scarce.<br />
The introduction of exotic fish into Thailand dates back to the Ayudhaya Period probably<br />
around the years 1691-1692 (Amatayakul 1957). However, not until 1953, was a royal decree,<br />
which prohibited the introductions of many exotic species of animals and plants, proclaimed and<br />
implemented.<br />
The purposes of introducing exotic animals and plants into Thailand are at least three fold;<br />
for consumption, for aquaculture, and for home aquarium and exhibition purposes.<br />
The major countries from which these exotic animals are exported into Thailand are Japan,<br />
Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Hongkong, Philippines, Burma and The United<br />
Kingdom. Some countries frequently act as middlemen. At present, the trading aquarium exotic<br />
species, especially fish, is very popular in Thailand.<br />
Historical Background<br />
There are three periods in which the exotic aquatic animals were introduced into<br />
Thailand. The first period was before 1953 in which three species of Chinese carps, grass,<br />
bighead and silver carps were introduced, mostly by the Chinese immigrants, for aquaculture<br />
purposes.<br />
These fish carried parasites such as anchor worm (Lernaea sp.) cotton wool disease<br />
(Saprolegina sp.), and fish louse (Argulus sp.). These fish, in the latter dates, were widely spread<br />
all over the country, and the parasites and associated diseases spread with them. There are no<br />
reliable records on the degree of the destruction by these diseases to the native species.<br />
The second period was during 1953-1982. This period was based on the time of the first<br />
proclamation of the Royal Decree called "The Prevention on the introduction of certain<br />
freshwater fishes, 1953."<br />
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