Exotic species in global aquaculture - a review

The culture of exotic fishes contributes about 17% to global food aquaculture production. Transplanted native species add substantially to the aquatic harvest of food and sport fishes in many countries. Some countries are very dependent on the cultivation of non-native species; yields of exotics exceed 25% of the total harvest in China, 60% of the freshwater harvest in the Philippines, and 50% of the production in Brazil. Aquatic food production in Israel is predominately from introduced fishes. In the USA, transplanted species are economically important as food and sport fish and exotics are used in resource management as well as a major food source. Countries of origin for globally important fishes include China (endemic carps), USA (Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout), Europe (common carp), and Africa (tilapias). The aquaculture production of food fish will become increasingly vital as oceanic capture fisheries continue to stagnate. Exotic and transplanted fishes that are widespread today will represent a greater proportion of future aquaculture production because technology for their culture is already well known and can readily be applied, and because these species are more easily domesticated and genetically improved.