Introducing Tridacna species to Gulf waters, your opinion.

[CaptiveReef]

Hello everybody,

First I would like to say, to please keep this a pleasant discussion. I was met with some gruff comments regarding this topic.
I know there have been alot of species that were released, and these species have caused havoc in their new habitat's.
Alot of opinions have been not to introduce Tridacna's due to the following:
1) The Gulf's waters are too murky
2) The Gulf's waters are too polluted
3) water is too cold
4) The Tridacna's would over populate the Gulf due to no natural predators
of the clam.
5)The Tridacna's would throw off the natural balance in the Gulf.
Do not introduce any Tridacna species to Gulf waters or any other U.S. waters, this is for discussion only. In the future it could be considered by the Government, but only after alot of research has been done.
The introduction of foreign species can create a negative impact on a delicate ecosystem.
The giant clam species are also used as a food source that is why their numbers in the wild were dropping so quickly, I was looking at this from a farming point of view. Also taking into consideration the actual animal, what it requires,is it a predator. Again alot of research would have to be done to see if the Tridacna would really pose a threat if introduced.

What is your outlook on this subject?



CaptiveReef

 

[tangir1]

What is the advantage of doing the introduction? Is there any economical, ecological, etc. reason for doing it?

I am not too worry about the over population aspect of it, since Tridacna is not really a prolific animal when compare to other problemic species...but that's just a wild guess...

 

[John_Brandt]

STOP!

Captive Reef, I urge you to either delete or edit your posting. I'm not sure that you fully understand the gravity of your post. Alien and introduced species are a very hot topic in the US government right now. By not providing a context for your questions your posting suggests that hobbyists and/or the aquarium trade is considering whether they should willfully introduce Tridacna clams into the Gulf of Mexico. And that that question is hinged upon practical considerations of suitability or impact.

I cannot stress to you enough the potential political ramifications of presenting that context (or lack thereof) to a public audience. Federal and state governments are interested in restricting your rights as a hobbyist because marine ornamental species are turning up in American waters. In other words, some would like to make the hobby (or aspects of it) illegal because they believe that hobbyists and/or the trade is intentionally or accidentally introducing alien species to American waters.

I urge you to take this very seriously and make amendments or explain your posting, including the title.

Sincerely.
John Brandt

MASNA (USCRTF/MAC/Legislation Liaison)

 

[fishfanatic2]

Yeah, I cant see a benefit other than cheaper clams since its nearer to the U.S.

THere ahve been so many catastrophes involving unnative animals in both the oceans and on land that its safe to say that introducing species to nonnative habitats is never a good idea. THere is always some outcome that cant be forseen or prevented, and it ends up disastrous. :roll:

 

[John_Brandt]

THere is always some outcome that cant be forseen or prevented, and it ends up disastrous. :roll:

In this case it could very well be the Federal or State governments making the ownership of Tridacna clams illegal. Willfull introduction of alien species by the hobbyists or trade will give them perfect grounds for doing this. Take this very seriously!

Read:

http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=429544#429544

http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=434119#434119

http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=443851#443851

 

[Anonymous]

CaptiveReef,

It is always a bad idea to introduce alien species to any open body of water. It is simply impossible to determine what things could happen. In addition to the possibility that the introduced species could crowd out native species, there is always the possibility of the introduction of a pathogen or parasite along with the transplanted species.

 

[Anonymous]

Not a good idea. As other have stated introducing an alien animal to an area can have unthought of circumstance. When the fur trade was big the nutria, kind of like a mink, was introduce to south Louisiana. I belive in the 50's. The nutria has no native preditors and reproduces quickly. When the fur trade died down the nutria over populated the marsh, eating most of the vegitation and starving out some of the local species. The nutria have been migrating north and cause problems where ever they go. I know clams are not mobile, but compatition for food and living space will occur.

 

[John_Brandt]

Invasivespecies.gov is the gateway to Federal efforts concerning invasive species. On this site you can learn about the impacts of invasive species and the Federal government's response, as well as read select species profiles and find links to agencies and organizations dealing with invasive species issues. Invasivespecies.gov is also the Web site for the National Invasive Species Council, which coordinates Federal responses to the problem.


http://www.invasivespecies.gov

 

[John_Brandt]

I know clams are not mobile, but compatition for food and living space will occur.

Sexual reproduction allows clam populations to be mobile.

 

[John_Brandt]

Sorry about all of this, but it is my responsibility to scare the daylights out of any hobbyist or tradesperson who would intentionally or accidentally introduce alien species to American waters.

42 tons of alien algae species have been manually-removed by volunteers in Hawaii. Mainly it is Gracilaria that they are collecting from beach areas. These algae were intentionally introduced many years ago.

http://www.hawaii.edu/ssri/hcri/rp/brochure-05.htm

http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/GradStud/smith/invasive/BROCHURE.htm

 

[Anonymous]

I know clams are not mobile, but compatition for food and living space will occur.

Sexual reproduction allows clam populations to be mobile.

I knew that I guess I was talk as an adult.

 

[Anonymous]

That's cool. Mind if I introduce some fire ants and wild dingos to your house? I know they don't belong there and may ruin your thing, but hey, *I* think it's a good idea despite all the volumes of scientific study I have ignored on the topic.

Nice troll, though.

Bay Shore, Long Island Home of Fishy Inc.

Are you a store owner? Jesus ...

 

[Anonymous]

I'd like to add to my previous comment about "open water". It is not wise to add non-native species to ponds, lakes, etc. that some might consider to be closed systems either. Often these assumed closed systems are not as closed as one would initially think. Most inland bodies of water can drain to creeks, streams, etc. or overflow their banks in times of flood. Birds and other animals can transport flora and fauna and their reproductive materials from open air systems as well.

Non-native species should never be housed in any system that is open or potentially open to the environment.

 

[CaptiveReef]

STOP!

Captive Reef, I urge you to either delete or edit your posting. I'm not sure that you fully understand the gravity of your post. Alien and introduced species are a very hot topic in the US government right now. By not providing a context for your questions your posting suggests that hobbyists and/or the aquarium trade is considering whether they should willfully introduce Tridacna clams into the Gulf of Mexico. And that that question is hinged upon practical considerations of suitability or impact.

I cannot stress to you enough the potential political ramifications of presenting that context (or lack thereof) to a public audience. Federal and state governments are interested in restricting your rights as a hobbyist because marine ornamental species are turning up in American waters. In other words, some would like to make the hobby (or aspects of it) illegal because they believe that hobbyists and/or the trade is intentionally or accidentally introducing alien species to American waters.

I urge you to take this very seriously and make amendments or explain your posting, including the title.

Sincerely.
John Brandt

MASNA (USCRTF/MAC/Legislation Liaison)

Okay this topic is for discussion only, I'm not encouraging or telling hobbyists to release Tridacna species in U.S. waters (Gulf of Mexico, or other bodies of water) One day this subject may be taken into consideration by the U.S. Government, but for now let's keep it on the boards, as a discussion. Sorry John, didn't mean to set off the alarms, thanks for the info.

CaptiveReef

 

[CaptiveReef]

That's cool. Mind if I introduce some fire ants and wild dingos to your house? I know they don't belong there and may ruin your thing, but hey, *I* think it's a good idea despite all the volumes of scientific study I have ignored on the topic.

Nice troll, though.

Bay Shore, Long Island Home of Fishy Inc.

Are you a store owner? Jesus ...

No just a customer.

 

[Anonymous]

I think the most obvious consequence would be the introduction of bivalve parasites with no natural predators. I don't understand why anybody would even consider this, especially the gov't.

 

[CaptiveReef]

I think the most obvious consequence would be the introduction of bivalve parasites with no natural predators. I don't understand why anybody would even consider this, especially the gov't.

You wouldn't get a bivalve parasite from captive propagated clams, the consideration is from a farming point of view. There is alot of planning that would have to be done to do this. I'm hoping one day new corals and rock will be introduced back into Jamacia waters to build back all the reefs that were destroyed by dynamite fishing.


CaptiveReef

 

[Anonymous]

I'm hoping one day new corals and rock will be introduced back into Jamacia waters to build back all the reefs that were destroyed by dynamite fishing.

That's a noble goal. Why not use native specimens?

 

[CaptiveReef]

I'm hoping one day new corals and rock will be introduced back into Jamacia waters to build back all the reefs that were destroyed by dynamite fishing.

That's a noble goal. Why not use native specimens?

I'm all for that.

 

[tangir1]

>... You wouldn't get a bivalve parasite from captive propagated clams, ...

Don't know, but rice snails are taking toll on farmed clams.