eDNA Surveillance for High Risk Invasive Fish

The early ‘acclimatisation phase’ of human introduction of sport fish (such as trout, tench and redfin perch) has passed (Clements 1988) and ornamental fish now are the main source of new introductions of exotic fish to Australia. The ornamental fish industry in Australia is estimated to be worth $350 million a year. There are around 2,000 species in the ornamental fish trade nationally, and many of the species favoured by aquarists are exotic. The volumes are huge — Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) data show that approximately 19 million ornamental fish were imported into Australia in 2008 alone (Biosecurity Australia 2009)