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“Our aim in organising this conference was to bring together leading international figures in the field of invasive alien species, or IAS, to exchange views and information and, generally, to raise awareness about the subject. I feel we have achieved this.” These are the words of Dr. Gerald Bassleer, President of OFI, following what was, without doubt, a groundbreaking event. Never before had the ornamental aquatic industry (via OFI) held a full international conference programme on invasive alien species. Secondly, while - up to now - it has been the industry that has attended meetings on the subject organised by agencies such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), this time round, it was a leading representative from the CBD, Programme Officer Dr. Junko Shimura (who is in charge of the CBD’s IAS and Taxonomy activities) who was invited to speak at the industry-led conference. The other speakers on the panel constituted what was virtually a ‘who’s who’ of our sector, plus representatives from scientific and other relevant bodies: Svein Fosså - President of the European Pet Organisation (EPO), Secretary General of the Norwegian Pet Trade Association (NZB), Secretary of the Scandinavian Pet Trade Union (SPTU) and member of the Executive Board of OFI. Topic: General introduction to the conference and to the subject of IAS Keith Davenport - Chief Executive of the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA), and current/past member of the UK government’s Non-native Species Review Group developing codes of conduct on invasive garden plants, companion animals and media and communication. Topic: What are Invasive Alien Species? Junko Shimura - see above Topic: International Approach to Tackling the Threat from Invasive Alien Species Lorenzo Vilizzi - Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre, where he is involved in a multi-disciplinary and multigroup inter-state project looking at the development of ecological response models in the Murray-Darling Basin in south-eastern Australia. Topic: The Ornamental Aquatic Industry as a Pathway for IAS Anthony Ramsey - Industry Representative on the Ornamental Fish Management Implementation Group in Australia, and past Director and Vice President of the Pet Industry Association of Australia (PIAA). Topic: Invasive Alien Species - An Australian Context Peter Ng - Director of the Raffles Museum (Singapore) and Director of the Tropical Marine Science Institute at the National University of Singapore, in collaboration with: Tam Heok Hui - Lecturer at the National University of Singapore. Topic: The Singapore Situation

Junko Shimura, CBD’s representative at the ground-breaking IAS Conference. Keith Davenport’s robust, well-informed presentation admirably highlighted the most fundamentally important aspects of the IAS debate. Gerald Bassleer, OFI President, felt that the aims of the Conference were well met. (Pictures: AQM/PT Photo Library.)

Michael Browne - Manager of the Global Invasive Species Database (GISD), initiator of the Global Register of Invasive Species (GRIS), contributor to the development of the Global Invasive Species Information Network (GISIN).
Topic: Sources of Invasive Species Information for the Ornamental Trade

Marshall Meyers - Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), who has been representing the industry since 1970; past member of the United States Invasive Species Advisory Committee set up by President Bill Clinton.
Topic: Pet Trade Pathway Toolkit: Why Should we Care? Why Should we Participate?

Co-ordinating proceedings - in conjunction with Svein Fosså - was Anil Kumar, Assistant Director of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) of India.

The full-day conference, which was organised during this year’s Aquarama held at Suntec Singapore, gathered together an equally international audience who listened intently and participated in informed discussions after each presentation. The influence of the meeting, however, extended far beyond the gathered delegates, with publicity material being freely available at Aquarama itself. A further aim was, thus, achieved: the ‘spreading of the word’ among those visiting the biennial flagship exhibition of the ornamental aquatic industry.

The significance of this was not lost on the conference speakers either, with OATA’s Keith Davenport commenting, “Invasive species is an international issue. The ornamental aquatic industry is also international, and so, it was entirely appropriate to hold such an awareness-raising meeting at Aquarama.”

It was this, i.e. awareness-raising, that formed perhaps the most important aspect of the conference. For example, the meeting didn’t end with the setting up of a working group or other committee. This was never its purpose. However, it did perform an extremely valuable role in providing, not just the audience, but - perhaps more importantly in some ways - the various speakers themselves, with a range of perspectives which they took away with them and which, undoubtedly, will influence their future thinking and activities with regard to IAS. There will also be a greater understanding between the various parties when they next meet - as they will do - at future meetings such as the next Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Two further quotes, from Keith Davenport and Gerald Bassleer, respectively, will help to emphasise just how important the industry’s involvement in the complex issue of IAS is: Keith Davenport: “Invasive species undoubtedly have the potential to cause harm, both ecologically and economically. This has been recognised over the last couple of decades, firstly by scientists and, latterly, more widely. All sectors, from governments, to conservation bodies, industry and the public, have unwittingly added to the problem. Now that the problem has been identified, all industry sectors have the opportunity to be part of the solution. I doubt anyone in the trade wishes to cause problems to the wider community. We must work together to establish in everyone’s eyes that our industry is at the forefront of helping to communicate the issues and be seen as a responsible industry which is keen to be part of the solution.”

Gerald Bassleer: “OFI is aware of its important role in informing all parties involved in our live fish industry about IAS. The proactive attitude of our organisation has opened doors, allowing us to participate in discussions dealing with the legal issues surrounding IAS and helping us provide a better understanding and acceptance of our industry. In the end, both our members and the industry in general will be better served.”

The OFI one-day Conference on IAS was, undoubtedly, an important step in the right direction. It is hoped by many that this is what it will prove to be, i.e. an important step…but only one of many such steps in the months and years to come.