Round Goby: a potential UK Arrival?

Invasive species of all denominations are rarely out of the news in scientific circles. And a hot topic of conversation among anglers.

Up in Scotland, pink salmon have been reported in the Ness, Dee and Helmsdale rivers. They have also been reported in several rivers in Ireland.

Economic impacts of non-native species

Economic damage to the British economy has been estimated by DEFRA, Welsh and Scottish governments at £1.7 billion. Globally, according to the GB Non-Native Species Secretariat, (GBNNSS):

The total loss to the world economy as a result of invasive non-native species has been estimated at 5% of annual production (Pimentel et al, 2002)
Globally, INNS have contributed to 40% of the animal extinctions that have occurred in the last 400 years (CBD, 2006)
Over 80% of the world's islands have been invaded by rodents (Atkinson, 1985)
20-30% of all introduced species worldwide cause a problem (Pimentel et al 2001
84% of the world's 232 marine ecoregions reported the presence of invasive non-native species (Molnar et al, 2008).
Introduction rates have been reported as high as two to three new species per year for Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne, Australia and up to one species every nine weeks for San Francisco Bay, California, USA (WWF International, 2009
In Europe, approximately ten new species become established each year and there is a rising trend for invertebrates and marine fish introductions (Hulme et al 2009)
The average lag-phase (time between introduction and successful spread and impact of a species) has been estimated at about 50 years, with a shorter lag-phase for tropical species than temperate species (Daehler 2009)
10 billion tonnes of ballast water is transported around the world every year (IMO, 1997)

Ballast water

Ships ballast water is one way for species to be transported around the globe. It is likely the mitten crab reached the UK by this route. It's believed that this also how the round goby found its way into the North American Great Lakes from its natural range of the waters of the Black and Caspian Sea area. In a decade of so, it spread through half of the Great Lakes and invaded adjoining inland waters with populations as high as 100 fish per square metre.

Biology and diet

The round goby prefers waters with rocky and sandy bottoms. The they feed aggressively on insects and other small organisms including zebra and quagga mussels plus small fish. Fish eggs are also make up a significant proportion if their diet. Their aggressive eating habits and ability to spawn several times per season have helped them to multiply and spread quickly.

Impacts in North America

They successful compete with and prey on various native bottom dwelling fish such as mottled sculpin and logperch and threaten several species which are at high risk such as the northern madtom and the eastern seas darter. Researchers also believe that the round goby is linked to outbreaks of botulism in fish and bird in the region. To help prevent further spread, the Ontario government has banned the possession and use of round gobies as livebait.

Dutch experience

Closer to home, three other related species, tubenose goby, bighead goby and monkey goby as well as the round goby have made their way from Eastern Europe to Holland. They have been able to do so because the Danube is connected to the Rhine via the Main-Danube canal opened in 1992. The Rhine is connected to the River Meuse via various canals and colonisation of the various Meuse tributaries was only a matter of time after that.

Threat to native species

Just as in North America, the aggressive non-native gobies are outcompeting and threatening specie such a stone loach, bullhead, sculpins and even flounder. These fisheries are failing to meet the EU Habitats and Water Framework directive. Bullheads are particularly threatened and scientists are no longer advocating the removal of weirs that are barriers to fish migration in order to prevent further upstream migrations.

British position

While the chances of the round goby or other new goby species arriving in Britain remain quite low, the GGNNSS have asked us to remind people of the threats the round goby poses in particular as well as the impacts of non-native invasive species more generally. You can find out more about the work of the GBNNSS on their website.