Brief Report
Acronyms:
AIS - alien invasive species
ARW – Advanced Research Workshop
AzNIRKH - Azov Fisheries Research Institute (Russia)
CBD - Conservation of Biological Diversity
CEP – Caspian Environment Programme
IMO – International Maritime Organization, UN
KaspNIRKH – Caspian Fisheries Research Institute (Russia)
NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organization
NFP – National Focal Point
NGO – non governmental organization
PCU – Programme Coordination Unit
TACIS - EU Programme for Technical Assistance for the Commonwealth of Independent
States
RAS – Russian Academy of Sciences
Background:
At the Second Biodiversity Meeting,
organized by the CEP in July 2000 in Almaty, Kazakhstan, the participants from the Caspian
Countries discussed the issue of biological invasions and effects of exotic species in the
Caspian Sea. The participants stressed the importance of further investigation of problems
caused by introduced species, particularly in light of recent discovery of ctenophore Mnemiopsis
leidyi (comb jelly) in the Caspian Sea. National Experts recommended to the CEP
to establish a special Working Group of world-recognized experts in this field to thorough
investigate the problem. In line with this recommendation, a meeting was organized on
24/25/26 April 2001 to review the problem of opportunistic settlers (with specific
attention to Mnemiopsis) in the Caspian Sea and advise on possible course of
actions.
The participants of the meeting agreed that
the situation with Mnemiopsis in the Caspian Sea in 2000 was serious. They agreed
that there is a strong need for more information on the distribution of Mnemiopsis
in the Caspian Sea and its ecosystem impacts. They stressed an acute need for additional
data of permanent monitoring of Mnemiopsis in the Caspian Sea, a laboratory study
of Mnemiopsis’ predatory impact on the zooplankton in the Caspian Sea and an
estimation of the capacity of the ctenophore Beroe ovata to serve as biological
control agent for Mnemiopsis. They also recommended for the Caspian Environment
Programme to establish the special Regional Advisory Group, comprised by the Mnemiopsis
experts from the Caspian states and nominated by the CEP National Focal Points.
Development of the Action plan for implementation y the Caspian countries, with assistance
from the Caspian Environment Programme at the initial stage, was suggested to be the main
goal of this Advisory Group. Members of the Group were nominated by the NFPs of the
riparian states (Attachment 1).
The First Workshop of the CEP Regional Mnemiopsis
Advisory Group was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, at the CEP PCU on December 3-4 2001, with the
following main objectives:
- To analyze the results of the Mnemiopsis monitoring
organized in Russian Federation, Azerbaijan and Islamic Republic of Iran and measurements
done by Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan during the summer and autumn seasons, 2001.
- To analyze the results of the Mnemiopsis and Beroe
laboratory studies conducted in the Iranian and Russian labs.
- To revise and update the action plan "Addressing the
Invasion of the Caspian Sea by the Comb Jelly Mnemiopsis" taking into account
the results of the monitoring and laboratory studies.
The meeting was attended by the members of
the CEP Mnemiopsis Advisory Group, except Mr. E. Hosseini (Iran) and Ms Yu.Kim, who
was replaced by Ms. L. Khvon, and by the regional and international experts actively
involved in the Mnemiopsis monitoring and laboratory studies in the Caspian Sea
region (Attachment 2).
I. Opening of the Workshop
Tim Turner, Coordinator of the Caspian
Environment Programme, opened the workshop. He welcomed the participants of the meeting to
the PCU and stressed the importance of the meeting in addressing one of the most important
emerging environmental problems in the Caspian Sea – invasion by Mnemiopsis,
along with other invasive species.
Dr. V. Vladymyrov, Scientific and
Information Officer of the CEP, presented the draft agenda for the meeting (Attachment 3) and some minor changes were
incorporated. Prof. H. Dumont, well-known specialist in hydrobiology, was proposed as a
chairman of the workshop. The agenda and chairman were adopted.
Dr. V. Vladymyrov reminded to the
participants the history of the issue (Appendix 1)
and the contents of the draft Action plan prepared in May 2001 (Attachment 4) and acquainted them with the ToR of
the Regional Mnemiopsis Advisory Group drafted by the PCU (Attachment 5). It was decided to discuss these
documents after the expert presentations.
Dr. A. Kideys presented common methodology
of the Mnemiopsis monitoring in the Caspian Sea prepared by himself and Dr. T.
Shiganova (Appendix 2) and distributed to
the reparian countries. He presented also the detailed monitoring plans prepared and
initiated by him with the CEP support in Azerbaijan and Iran and stressed the necessity
for similar plans to be prepared for Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.
II. Present state of Mnemiopsis population in the
Caspian Sea – country overview
Dr. Z. Kuliev presented the results of the Mnemiopsis
monitoring in the Azerbaijan coastal waters (Appendix 3).
The work started in July and is going on with financial support from TACIS. All the
equipment and methodology were agreed with the CEP expert (A. Kideys), who conducted
several surveys together with the Institute specialists. At all the monitoring transects
the comb jelly Mnemiopsis of different sizes and age groups were found. In one
occasion a biomass value of 3.2 kg/m2 was estimated off Sumgait and the next highest
biomass value was over 0.5 kg/m2.
Dr. H. Negarestan presented results of
recent studies conducted in Iran (Appendix 4).
They were organized by the Iranian Fisheries Research Organization with a support of the
CEP. The presence of the ctenophore increased in summer, and, at 20 m depth, the maximum
biomass of 2.1 Kg/m2 was recorded in September 2001 in Amirabad Mazandaran. In
the same locations and depth the biomass at 20 m depth in November has decreased to 0.8
Kg/m2. The maximum biomass in November found not to be at 20 m depth but 50 m
where in Amirabad a biomass of 1.1 Kg/m2 was observed.
Dr. L. Khvan summarized the situation with Mnemiopsis
in the Kazakh waters (Appendix 5).
Scientific Research Institute of Fishery of the Kazakhstan Republic performed surveys in
August – September 2001 in the North-Eastern part of the Caspian, as well as in a
coastal zone of the middle Caspian, with the aim to determine the distribution and
concentration of Mnemiopsis in the territorial waters of Kazakhstan Republic. Only
a few organisms were occasionally found during these surveys mostly in the form of
shapeless mass. In addition, during the planned fishery monitoring the attention was paid
to a possible presence of the Mnemiopsis, but none were found in this region
neither in April nor in July.
Dr. F. Shakirova described the situation
with Mnemiopsis in the Turkmenistan waters of the Caspian Sea (Appendix 6). There is currently no permanent
monitoring in the Turkmenistan coastal zone. A sampling was only conducted in the vicinity
of Turkmenbashi (cape Avaza) in the middle August 2001. It was found that the density of
ctenophores ranged from 62 to 550 ind/m3, and biomass varied from 32.09 g/m3
to 215.5 g/m3. Length of the species reached 11-30 mm, with smaller individuals
prevailed.
Dr. T. Shiganova presented results of the
recent Russian studies of the Mnemiopsis distribution in the Caspian Sea, organized
by KaspNIRKH with participation of P.P.Shirshov Institute of Oceanology RAS (Appendix 7). Surveys were performed in the
Northern, Middle and Southern Caspian in June, July, August and October 2001. In June Mnemiopsis
was found only in the Southern Caspian and the southern part of Middle Caspian, the
highest density and biomass were estimated in the Southern Caspian with values 2005 ind/m2
and 230 g/m2 , respectively. In second half of July Mnemiopsis had
spread throughout the whole Middle Caspian, some specimens were found in the southern part
of the Northern Caspian. The average density had increased twice, reaching 1266 ind/m2,
and biomass rose more than 4 times, reaching 372.7 g/m2. In August Mnemiopsis
was distributed widely in the Northern Caspian. In the areas, where salinity exceeded 4
‰, the average density and biomass for all Caspian Sea were maximal - 3756 ind/m2
and 960 g/m2, correspondingly. The density of Mnemiopsis was also
considerable (3375 ind/m2) in October, but biomass had decreased to 555.9 g/m2,
probably due to the increasing density of small-sized specimens.
During the discussion, A. Kideys presented
the results of Mnemiopsis sampling organized during the August basin wide cruise on
estimation of fish stock organized by TACIS. According to these results, larger organisms
were observed in the deep part of the sea. Mnemiopsis was observed at all sampling
stations (the survey did not cover the Northern shallow part of the Sea).
Participants considered effects of Mnemiopsis
on the Caspian Sea ecosystem in 2001 as significant, specifically its effects on
zooplankton, kilka and seals.
III. Laboratory studies of Mnemiopsis
and Beroe
Drs. G. Finenko and T. Shiganova presented
the results of the laboratory experiments with Beroe and Mnemiopsis performed in
the Iranian labs (Appendix 8). The Mnemiopsis-predator
Beroe was transported from Turkish Seas to Mazandaran, Iran, to evaluate its
suitability to combat Mnemiopsis problem in the Caspian Sea. Experiments show that Beroe
ovata can live and grow intensively in the southern Caspian Sea at salinity of 12-13
ppt. Beroe feeding rates were quite high (up to >100% of its own body weight a
day) at 21-26oC. Daily rations and growth rates at 12.8 ppt are close to that
in the Black Sea (where the salinity is 18 ppt).
Based on the physiological data, it could
be suggested that in the Caspian Sea Beroe is able to ingest Mnemiopsis
intensively and decrease its abundance sharply as it happened in the Black Sea. It was
possible to obtain from Beroe eggs and on a few occasions larvae, but larval
development experiments were not successful in the laboratory. However, it is still
possible that successful development may take place in field conditions.
Different physiological characteristics
(feeding, respiration rates and fecundity) of Mnemiopsis were obtained.
These data will be evaluated with respect to ongoing monitoring studies to evaluate the
impact of Mnemiopsis on the pelagic ecosystem of the Caspian Sea in near future.
Dr. V.P. Ivanov was not able to attend the
workshop and on behalf of Russian institutions Dr. T. Shiganova presented the results of Mnemiopsis
and Beroe studies performed in the Russian labs by the institutions of the
Russian State Fisheries Committee (Appendix 9).
Experiments were done as in Dagestan with Beroe delivered from the Black Sea and
from the Sea of Azov region, where both natural Caspian Sea water and the diluted Black
Sea water were used. The results were similar to those obtained in the Iranian labs. Even
in the conditions of a sustained starvation Beroe did not feed on plankton (Caspian
organisms and Artemia salina) and upon abundance of plankton tightly squeezed its
oral cavity assuming an oval form. Beroe did not feed on small coelelminths.
It was mentioned by the participants during
the final discussion that the results of experiments are very positive from the point of
view of possible introduction of Beroe into the Caspian Sea. However, there is
further need of in-vitro experiments including the interactions of Beroe with fish
eggs and larvae and Beroe reproduction before any proposal.
IV. Development of the Action Plan
Dr. H. Dumont presented then the summary of
presentations and discussions on the field and laboratory studies. His findings are
incorporated into the meeting conclusions and recommendations.
Dr. V. Panov made a presentation on the
methodological implications of international legal instruments on alien species for the
Caspian Sea region. He discussed the Legal Instruments on Conservation of Biological
Diversity (CBD) and Sustainable Use of Biological Resources, regarding alien invasive
species and applicable to the Caspian Region. He described in detail CBD COP5 Decision
V/8, 2000 (Appendix 10). "Alien
Species that Threaten Ecosystems, Habitats and Species" and the CBD "Interim
Guiding Principles for the Prevention, Introduction and Mitigation of Impacts of Alien
Species." He stressed the attention of the participants to the necessity of free and
fast data and information exchange relevant to the invasive species according to the best
international practice. He presented information on the Regional Biological Invasions
Center and a large variety of the Internet sources on the invasive species. He mentioned
the urgent need for the development and implementation of the regional alien invasive
species strategy and action plan, which should consider prevention of AIS introductions as
a priority issue.
Dr. V.Panov proposed also to extend the
Term of References of the Regional Mnemiopsis Advisory Group and rename it to the
Regional Invasive Species Advisory Group, considering susceptibility of the Caspian
Sea ecosystem to biological invasions, high risk of new invasions of harmful organisms and
urgent need of preventive actions, along with significance of the Caspian as a
region-donor of invasive species worldwide.
Creation of the Joint Caspian Sea Mnemiopsis
database was discussed then by the workshop participants on the basis of presentation done
by V. Vladymyrov and draft document on "The Principles for Creation and Procedures
for Future Utilization of the Caspian Sea Mnemiopsis Data Base" prepared by
the PCU (Attachment 6). In general,
participants agreed to join their data on the basis of this document, however, some
additional consultations are needed, especially with KaspNIRKH.
Resent situation in the Black Sea was
discussed by Drs. G. Finenko (Appendix 11),
A. Kideys, and T. Shiganoiova. They stressed the positive role of the Beroe in
addressing the Mnemiopsis problem in the Black Sea region. All of them recommended
to consider the Beroe introduction to the Caspian Sea urgently.
Two papers prepared by the scientists from
the AzNIRKH (Russia) were also presented to the workshop participants, a paper of Z.A.
Mirzoyan, S.P. Volovik, M.L. Martinyuk "Features of Development of the Population Beroe
ovata in the Azov-Black Seas Basin and Consequences of its Intrusion" (Appendix 12) and a paper of S.P.Volovik,
I.G. Korpakova "To the Biological Substantiation of the Intrusion of Beroe ovata
in the Caspian Sea as the Factor of Biocontrol the Population of Mnemiopsis leidyi"
(Appendix 13). It was noted that the
results of the AzNIRKH work are similar to the results presented at the meeting by other
researches and they support strongly the possibility and necessity for introduction of Beroe
into the Caspian Sea.
The concluding discussion (Appendix 14) on the current situation in the
Caspian Sea and necessity for urgent action was long and at times nested. As a result, the
Advisory Group reached the consensus that a proposal be formulated under the banner of the
CEP for the release of the Beroe into the Caspian Sea. The conclusions and
recommendations of the workshop are given below.
V. Conclusions and Recommendations
A truly remarkable body of data has been
gathered, both from the field and from the laboratory.
The landmark determined by the April
meeting of 1 kg m-2 (+/- 10%) for Mnemiopsis biomass (wet weight,
uncorrected for net effects), corresponding to the Black Sea level of 1988, was repeatedly
reached and overshot.
A process of the Mnemiopsis
development in the Caspian Sea is running faster than in the Black Sea.
The situation in the Caspian Sea is
dangerous and control actions should be provided on the urgent basis.
It can be considered that preliminary
Environmental Impact Assessment for the Beroe introduction is done.
The preliminary laboratory study of Beroe
is completed.
The introduction of Beroe, should
be considered at present as the only measure to control Mnemiopsis.
The Advisory Group has reached the
consensus that a proposal to be formulated under the banner of the CEP for the release of
the Beroe into the Caspian Sea. More laboratory studies of Beroe
are desirable, in particular:
- Interaction with the fish egg and larvae,
- Interaction with zooplankton,
- Parasitological research,
- Biotechnology of Beroe growing
- Estimation of number of organisms for successful
introduction
- Modelling the effect of possible introduction on Mnemiopsis
and other plankton species.
Full scale ecological monitoring of all
major components of the ecosystem of the Caspian Sea should be considered several times
throughout the year.
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.
The standard methodology for monitoring
should be further developed and introduced, especially in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.
Standard sampling equipment should be
used in the region. The appropriate funds should be found for this purpose.
Low-cost monitoring should be developed
using secondary school classes, fishermen, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), oil
companies and other volunteers. Guidelines for these participants should be developed and
widely distributed by the next summer.
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.
It is recommended that the CEP extends
the Term of References of the Regional Mnemiopsis Advisory Group and renames it to
the Regional Invasive Species Advisory Group (Attachment
8).
It is recommended to facilitate
cooperation with international programmes and working groups on the problem of alien
invasive species (AIS), such as Global Invasive Species Programme and GloBallast,
specifically on the development of regional AIS strategy and management plans, and
development of on-line information system on AIS.
CEP will contact a director of the NATO
ARW on invasive species Dr. R. Harbison to clarify the new date and venue of this meeting
and to coordinate the activity.
Some recommendations are done in more
details in the updated version of the Action plan (Attachment
7).
VI. Workshop’s Closure
The workshop’s participants noted the
high productivity of the meeting. The Chairman expressed his gratitude to workshop
participants for active, result-oriented work, pointed out the importance of the decisions
made, and wished participants further successes.
Attachments
Attachment 1
List of Regional Mnemiopsis Advisory Group (from December 2001: Regional
Invasive Species Advisory Group) members
Attachment 2
List of Workshop Participants
Attachment 3
Workshop Agenda
Attachment 4
Draft Action Plan Regarding the Invasion of the Caspian Sea by the Comb Jelly Mnemiopsis
(May 10, 2001)
Attachment 5
Draft Terms of Reference for the Regional Mnemiopsis Advisory Group (November
28, 2001).
Attachment 6
The Principles for Creation and Procedures for Future Utilization of the Caspian Sea Mnemiopsis
Data Base (draft, October23, 2001).
Attachment 7
Draft Action Plan Regarding Invasive Species in the Caspian Sea with special reference
to the Comb Jelly Mnemiopsis (January 10, 2002)
Attachment 8
Draft Terms of Reference for the CEP Regional Invasive Species Advisory Group (January
10, 2002)
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