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Research article2015Peer reviewedOpen access

Twenty five years of invasion: management of the round goby Neogobius melanostomus in the Baltic Sea

Ojaveer, Henn; Galil, Bella; Lehtiniemi, Maiju; Christoffersen, Mads; Clink, Sally; Florin, Ann-Britt; Gruszka, Piotr; Puntila, Riikka; Behrens, Jane W.

Abstract

The round goby, Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas, 1814), is one of the most invasive non-indigenous species in the Baltic Sea. It dominates coastal fisheries in some localities and is frequently found in offshore pelagic catches. This paper identifies management issues and suggests actions to be considered for post-invasion management. Priority should be given to the establishment of a coordinated pan-Baltic monitoring programme and associated data storage and exchange, as well as the compilation of landing statistics of the round goby in commercial and recreational fisheries. While eradication is unrealistic, population control that leads to minimising the risk of transfer to yet uncolonised areas in the Baltic Sea and adjacent waterbodies is feasible. This should comprise the requirement that the species be landed in commercial fishery bycatch, the management of ships' ballast water and sediments, and hull fouling of inland and sea-going vessels, including recreational boats. Extensive involvement of stakeholders is crucial at all phases of the management process.

Published in

Management of Biological Invasions
2015, Volume: 6, number: 4, pages: 329-339 Publisher: Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre - REABIC