ORCID
- Hall-Spencer, Jason: 0000-0002-6915-2518
- Rees, Sian: 0000-0001-9606-783X
Abstract
The European Regulation (EU) 1143/2014 on Invasive Alien Species entered into force in 2015, with the aim to fulfill regional and international biodiversity goals in a concerted manner. To date, the Regulation listed 66 Invasive Alien Species (IAS) that are subject to legal controls. Only one of these is marine. A recent lionfish (Pterois miles) invasion has been closely monitored in the Mediterranean and a detailed risk assessment was made about the profound impacts that this invasive fish is likely to have on the fisheries and biodiversity of the region. In 2016–21, lionfish rapidly became dominant predators along Eastern Mediterranean coasts, yet the process for their inclusion on the EU IAS list has been lengthy and is ongoing. There is an urgent need to learn from this experience. Here, we recommend improvements to the Regulation 1143/2014 and the risk assessment process to protect marine ecosystems and secure the jobs of people that rely on coastal resources.
DOI
10.3390/jmse9030325
Publication Date
2021-03-15
Publication Title
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
Volume
9
Issue
3
Embargo Period
2021-03-20
Organisational Unit
School of Biological and Marine Sciences
First Page
325
Last Page
325
Recommended Citation
Kleitou, P., Hall-Spencer, J., Savva, I., Kletou, D., Hadjistylli, M., Azzurro, E., Katsanevakis, S., Antoniou, C., Hadjioannou, L., Chartosia, N., Christou, M., Christodoulides, Y., Giovos, I., Jimenez, C., Smeraldo, S., & Rees, S. (2021) 'The Case of Lionfish (Pterois miles) in the Mediterranean Sea Demonstrates Limitations in EU Legislation to Address Marine Biological Invasions', Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 9(3), pp. 325-325. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9030325
