ATTACHMENT
4.
ACTION PLAN
First draft version, May 10, 2001
Regarding Invasive Species in the
Caspian Sea with special reference to the Comb Jelly Mnemiopsis
Preamble:
The present action plan was prepared based
on findings presented at the first and second international workshops on Mnemiopsis
held in Baku, Azerbaijan, 24-26 April 2001, and 4-5 December 2001, where the problem of
the invasion of the Caspian Sea by the comb jelly animal, Mnemiopsis, was discussed
in great detail. Conclusions and recommendations of these workshops form the basis of this
action plan.
Introduction:
The ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi
is native to the coastal areas of northern America and first appeared in the Black Sea in
the early 1980s, having been accidentally introduced with ballast water of ships. Since
then, its population has exploded in the Black Sea, and its range has expanded to include
the seas of Azov and Marmara, as well as the eastern Mediterranean. It is detrimental to
zooplanktivorous fish populations as a predator; Mnemiopsis also eats the pelagic
eggs and larvae of the fish themselves. Mnemiopsis is blamed for the collapse of
commercial fisheries in the Black and Azov seas in the 1990s.
In 1999, Mnemiopsis was first
identified in the Caspian Sea, presumably after being introduced a few years earlier with
ballast waters. The Caspian Sea is a completely isolated basin with mostly favorable
conditions for Mnemiopsis development throughout the year. Penetration of Mnemiopsis
into the Caspian Sea may create a great problem for its fisheries, judging from the Black
and Azov seas’ situation. The Caspian Sea is the most important fishery for sturgeon in
the world. The first effect of the Mnemiopsis invasion was recorded in 2000, much
sooner than its effects were seen in the Black Sea. In both seas a decrease of zooplankton
biomass and a sharp reduction in kilka landings were observed. These effects became
exacerbated in 2001, with significant drops in fisheries and impaired reproduction in the
Caspian seal.
Mnemiopsis has expanded in the
Caspian Sea, in 2001 at a rate sufficient to reach levels that could critically endanger
the current functioning of the ecosystem and pose grave risks of extinction to a range of
species, mainly invertebrates, but also fish (kilka and other species, including beluga
sturgeon). Loss of biodiversity as well as economic loss are beginning to result
therefrom.
If adequate measures for decreasing the Mnemiopsis
population are not undertaken immediately, the effect of Mnemiopsis on the Caspian
Sea ecosystem will be disastrous.
I. Present State of Mnemiopsis Population in the
Caspian Sea
The results of the ichthyoplankton survey
in the summer of 2000 showed that the main accumulations of the comb-jelly Mnemiopsis were
identified in the middle and south Caspian on the eastern shelf in the regions at depths
of 70-90 meters (m). Occasional occurrence was reported for the coastal zones. The most
significant concentrations in the South Caspian were at the banks – Livanov,
Bezymyannaya and the Ogurchinski Island; in the Middle Caspian – Capes Takmak,
Rakushechny, Adamtash. The number of Mnemiopsis decreased northwards; the invaded
area was restricted to the Kulalinskaya bank.
In May 2000, Mnemiopsis was
registered in the western part of the mid-Caspian Sea, near Nabran settlement, in the
Northern Absheron Gulf, coastal waters of the islands Pirallahi (Artem) and Oil Stones,
and in the western part of Southern Caspian – from Shikhov to Bandovan areas, on
offshore oil fields Chirag, Azeri, Nakhichevan, Oguz, on gas field Shakh-Deniz, along
pipeline Chirag-Sngachal terminal, and in the waters of Sangachal terminal.
The maximum biomass of this ctenophore in
summer 2000 in the south Caspian Sea in Iranian waters was 470 grams per meter squared
(g/m2) in the Turkmen and Gomishan regions and none was observed in the surface
waters of Amirabad.
Studies on the vertical distribution of Mnemiopsis
showed that it was most dense in the warm surface water layers (3-5m) above the
thermocline zone; lesser densities occurred in the cold bottom water layers at depths of
30-35 m.
In October 2000, a large number of Mnemiopsis
were found in the North Caspian at the Zhemchuzhny Island, in the marine zone of the
Volga-Caspian ship channel (depths 5-6 m) and in the northeastern area in front of the
delta, (depths 4-5 m) where the water salinity is less than 5 pro mille due to the Volga
River freshwater inflow. Maximum concentrations were discovered in the Zhemchuzhny Island
area.
In 2001, no major concentrations of
Mnemiopsis were seen until July, but in August very high abundances were nted along the
Iranian coast and in the West of the South Caspian. The threshold value of 1 kg m-2
was repeatedly overshot, with peaks of up to 3 kg m-2 in Iranian waters, where
most kilka fishing stopped. Concentrations were much lower in fresher parts of the
Caspian, like in the North-West, in the Kazakh sector. Information on Turkmenistan is
rather incomplete and inconclusive.
II. The Basis for Cooperative Actions
Principles
The precautionary principle should be
applied according to the guidelines on inland fisheries and species introduction specified
by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
Any action involving an introduction of
an alien species should be preceded by a rapid and independent review of the proposal for
introduction by a group of experts on biological invasions, with adequate knowledge of Mnemiopsis,
according to the FAO guidelines on the precautionary approach on inland fisheries and
species introduction.
Cooperation among all Caspian Sea basin
states should be promoted.
The involvement of stakeholders in the
implementation of this action plan should be promoted.
Public participation should be fostered
through the wide dissemination of information of the work undertaken to control Mnemiopsis
in the Caspian Sea as well as through public involvement in the low-cost monitoring.
It is recommended that the Caspian
Environment Programme establish a Special Advisory Group composed of Mnemiopsis
experts from the Caspian states, the description and general terms of reference of which
is given in Appendix 1.
III. Priority Actions
Landmark for action was reached.
The landmark of 1kg +/- 10 percent m-2 (wet weight, uncorrected for net
effects), corresponding to the Black Sea level of 1988, was repeatedly reached and
overshot. In April 2001, it was agreed that this would signal immediate and appropriate
steps to be taken. An extensive review of the effects of Beroe on the populations in the
Black sea and sea of Azov was conducted, and laboratory experiments in Iran and Russia,
involving predation of Beroe on Mnemiopsis and alternative prey were analysed. It ws found
that zooplankton and fish in the Black Sea showed signs of recovery, following spectacular
effects of Beroe on the abundancoe of Mnemiopsis. Little or no side-effects of Beroe could
be found, although there are residual difficulties in reproducing Beroe in aquarium
condition, and the whereabouts of both Mnemiopsis and Beroe in the field during winter
remain uncertain. It was concluded that the memebers of the advisory group would ask their
respective governments to agree to a controllec introduction of Beroe to the Caspian, to
be conducted from the Iranian and Azeiri shores, releasing a few hundreds of specimens at
each location, in early summer 2002.
A. Monitoring Mnemiopsis, Beroe,
zooplankton, and fish
Full scale ecological monitoring of all
major components of the ecosystem of the Caspian Sea should be performed every year in
July-August.
Special Mnemiopsis and Beroe
surveys should be conducted in the Caspian Seas as frequently as available means permit.
Each biological or fisheries research expedition in the region should include measurements
of Mnemiopsis.
Low-cost monitoring should be done using
secondary school classes, fishermen, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), oil companies
and other volunteers. Guidelines for these participants should be developed and widely
distributed.
A standard methodology for monitoring
should be developed and introduced.
Standard sampling equipment should be
used in the region. The appropriate funds should be found for this purpose.
An information system should be
developed. This system will include information on all Mnemiopsis publications, an
expert database, an institute’s database, and a detailed data inventory. Intellectual
property right over data deposited in the data base will be honoured, and data that are
unpublished may be kept in confidentiality, until their owners (individuals or
institutions) lift he embargo on them.
Copyright and data ownership issues
should be discussed and agreed to among the regional research institutions, and a Mnemiopsis
database should be established for all Mnemiopsis-related data.
B. Scientific Studies
Laboratory study of Mnemiopsis’
predatory impact on the pelagic community of the Caspian Sea should be initiated.
Research on the ctenophore Beroe ovata
should be continued
Interactions of Beroe with local plankton,
Interactions of local fishes with Beroe,
Interactions of Mnemiopsis and Beroe in the
Caspian water,
Determination of optimal conditions for transport of Beroe
to the Caspian region,
Ability to cultivate large quantities of Beroe in
the Caspian region, and to close its life cycle in captivity.
Laboratory studies of other possible
biological agents eating both Mnemiopsis and Beroe (e.g. the fish Peprilus
triacanthus) should be conducted to consider as a possibility for introduction at a
later stage.
C. Ballast Water Control
A common methodology for ballast water
management should be developed in accordance with guidelines of the International Maritime
Organization (IMO) in order to prevent future introduction of invasive species into the
Caspian Sea as well as escapes of Caspian species from the Caspian to other parts of the
world. In particular, the possibility of full de-ballasting or desinfection of ships at
Astrakhan should be investigated.
D. Biological Control
A search for local control agents should
be pursued. This research should be conducted in local laboratories. Experiments on the
feeding of Mnemiopsis by Caspian predators should be conducted in local scientific
institutions.
In understanding that the decision on any
possible alien species introduction should be made (in consensus) by all Caspian
countries, any action involving an introduction of an alien species should be preceded by
a rapid and independent review of the proposal for introduction by a group of experts on
biological invasions, with adequate knowledge of Mnemiopsis, according to the
guidelines on the precautionary approach on inland fisheries and species introduction of
FAO.
The Code of Practice on the introduction
and transfer of marine organisms developed by ICES should be used as reference guidelines
if any biological control measures are proposed.
IV Financing the Action Plan
Funding for the actions agreed to in this
action plan may be secured from domestic, regional or international sources, through
general public funding, as well as through grants and loans. Specific projects for
international funding should be prepared for bilateral or multilateral funding. Donor
conferences for assisting in this process should be held
V Implementation of the Action Plan
The present action plan should be
implemented by the Caspian countries through the Regional Advisory Group with assistance
from the Caspian Environment Programme at the initial stage.
It is advised that the Regional Advisory
Group will submit a semi-annual report to the PCU on the progress made in implementing
this action plan. The report should also contain recommendations for enhancing
implementation and adjustment of this action plan.
Appendix 1. Terms of Reference for the Regional Mnemiopsis
Advisory Group
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Brief Report
Photos
from the Meeting
Attachment 1
Attachment 2
Attachment 3
Attachment 4
Attachment 5
Attachment 6
Attachment 7
Attachment 8
Appendix
1
Appendix 2
Appendix 3
Appendix 4
Appendix 5
Appendix 6
Appendix 7
Appendix 8
Appendix 9
Appendix 10
Appendix 11
Appendix 12
Appendix 13
Appendix 14
    
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