ALB Advanoes in Life Soienoes

Transcription

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2 ALB Advanoes in Life Soienoes

3 Conservation of Endangered Freshwater Fish in Europe Edited by A. Kirohhofer D.Hefti Birkhauser Verlag Basel Boston Berlin

4 Editors Dr.A. Kirchhofer Institute of Zoology University of Bern Baltzerstr.3 CH-30l2Bern Switzerland. Dr. D. Hefti Federal Office of Environment, Forests and Landecape (FOEFL) HaJlwylBtr.4 CH-3003Bern Switzerland The book has been kindly sponsored by: Swiss Academy of Sciences (BAS); Swiss Society of Hydrology and Limnology (SSHL); Federal Office of Environment, Forest and Landecape (FOEFL); Institute of Zoology, University of Bern; Lotteriefonde des Kantons Bern; Swiss Fishery Assoc1a.tion (Schweiz. Fischereiverband, SFV); Swiss League for Nature Protection; and the Gauma.nn Foundation of the Fischereiverein Aaretal. Library of Congress ca.taloging-in-publication-data CODServation of ej1clajlcered freshwater fish in liurope I edited by A. Kirchhofer, D. Hefti. p. em. - - (Advances in life sciences) Includes bibliographical references ISBN-13: (a.ik. paper). - - e-isbn-13: (alk. paper) 1. Rare f1shes- - Europe. 2. Freshwater f1shes- - Europe. 3. Fishery conservation - - Europe. I. Kirchhofer, A. (Arthur), II. Hefti, D. (Daniel), III. Series. QL E86C '.0629'094--dc20 Deutsche Bibliothek Cataloging-in-Publication Data CODServation of encladgeredfreshwater fish in l!iurope 1 ed. by A. Kirchhofer; D. Hefti. - Basel; Boston; Berlin: Birkhii.user, 1996 (Advances in life sciences) ISBN-13: NE: Kirchhofer, Arthur [Brsg.] ISBN-13: e-isbn-13: : / The publisher and editor can give no guarantee for the information on drug dosage and a.dmiiiistration contained in this publication. The respective user must check its accuracy by consulting other sources of reference in each individual case. The use ofreg1stered names, trademarks etc. in this publication, even if not identified as such, does not imply that they are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations or free for general use. This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, re-use of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in other W8iYB, and storage in data banks. For a.n.y kind of use permission of the copyright owner must be obtained Birkhii.user Verlag, PO Box 133, CH-4010 Basel, Switzerland Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1 st edition 1996 Printed on acid-free paper produced from chlorine-free pulp. TCF co Cover illustration: B. Gysin

5 Contents Introductiou IX General considerations regarding the decline of species A. Lelek... 1 Red lists Threatened freshwater fishes of Great Britain P.S. Maitland and A.A. Lyle Scottish natural heritage and fish conservation in Scotland K.E. Sweetman, P.S. Maitland anda.a. Lyle Endangered freshwater fish in Ireland D. T. G. Quigley and K. Flannery Endangered freshwater fish: The situation in France P. Keith and J. Allardi Endangered freshwater fish of Spain B. Elvira The Red Data List of the freshwater lampreys (Cyclostomata) and fishes (Pisces) of Slovenia M. Povi Threatened freshwater fish in Hungary K. Keresztessy Vanishing freshwater fish species of Slovakia J. HolCik The status of the fish fauna in the Czech Republic S. Lusk Endangered fishes of the River Morava (Czech Republic) P. Jurajda and M. Penaz Species cooservatiou: Ecology, taxonomy and genetics Long-term changes in the fish community of Neusiedler See (Burgenland, Austria) E. Mikschi, G. Wolfram and A. Wais Natural regeneration of endangered fish populations in the Pilica drainage basin after reducing human impacts T. Penczak

6 VI Fish conservation in Switzerland - three case-studies A. Kirchhofer The decline of the European sturgeon Acipenser sturio in the Baltic and North Sea L. Debus Occurrence and distribution of twaite shad (Alosa fallax Lacepede) in the lower Elbe River, Germany R. Thiel, A. Sepulveda and S. Oesrnann Rehabilitation of salmon (Salrno salar L.) in Denmark; state, objectives and methods P. Geertz-Hansen and J. J rgensen The role of natural and artificial propagation on the genetic diversity of brown trout (Salrno trutta L.) of the upper RhOne drainage C.R. Largiader, A. Scholl and R. Guyornard Cellulose acetate electrophoresis for screening transferrin polymorphism in brown trout (Salrno trutta L.) populations C. R. Largiader and A. Scholl Decline and conservation of migrating brown trout (Salrno trutta f lacustris L.) of Lake Constance C. Ruhle The conservation ecology of Coregonus albula and C. lavaretus in England and Wales, UK 1.J. Winfield, D. Cragg-Hine, J.M. Fletcher and P.R. Cubby Gonadal abnormalities in Coregonus peled Gmel. x Coregonus lavaretus L. hybrids, introduced into natural waters K. Dernska-Zakes anda. Marncarz Threatened populations and conservation of the European grayling, Thyrnallus thyrnallus (L., 1758) H. Persat Reproduction and habitat preference of the threatened spirlin (Alburnoides bipunctatus Bloch) and soufie (Leuciscus souffia Risso) under laboratory conditions (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) R. Bless Distribution of YaY-barbel Barbus barbus (L.) in the River SiegiGermany J. Freyhof Drift, habitat choice and growth of the nase (Chondrostorna nasus, Cyprinidae) during early life stages K. Hofer and A. Kirchhofer Chondrostoma nasus - its reproduction strategy and possible reasons for a widely observed population decline - a review M. Pefuiz

7 VII Contribution to the knowledge of the distribution and spawning grounds of Chondrostoma nasus and Chondrostoma toxostoma (Pisces, Cyprinidae) in Switzerland S. Zbinden and K.-J. Maier Spawning grounds of Chondrostoma soetta Bonaparte, 1840 (Cyprinidae) in Southern Switzerland M. Zeh and J. Ortlepp The artificial propagation and culture of young weatherfish (Misgumus fossilis L.) J. Kouril, J. Hamackova, Z. Adamek, l. Sukop, l. Stibranyiova and R. Vachta 305 Description of Knipowitschia punctatissima croatica, (Pisces: Gobiidae), a new freshwater goby from Dalmatia, Croatia M. Mrakovcic, M. Kerovec, S. Misetic and D. Schneider The sculpin of the Lez spring (South France), Cottus petiti (BacesCl,l and Bacescu Mester, 1964), one of the most threatened fish species in Europe H. Persat, D. Beaudou and J. Freyhof Gpnservation of samaruc, Valencia hispanica (Valenciennes, 1846), (PIsces: Cyprinodontidae), an endemic and endangered species, in the community of Valencia (east Spain) M. Planelles and S. Reyna Workshop reports Workshop I: Faunistic surveys and vulnerability assessments P.S. Maitland Workshop II: Conservation of European mudminnow, Umbra krameri J. Wanzenbock Workshop III: Management and rehabilitation of habitat of endangered fishes A. Lelek

8 Introduction Two events have recently improved the prospects of protecting fish and their environment in Switzerland: the acceptance of a new Federal Water Protection Law in the plebiscite of May 17th 1992, and the new Federal Legislation on Fisheries, in force since January 1st With this legal framework, the possibilities for protection of nature and landscape have now considerably improved in Switzerland. The most important aims of the Federal Law on Water Protection are to safeguard the natural habitats of the native flora and fauna and water as the habitat of aquatic organisms. This includes not only the preservation or restoration of water quality in lakes and rivers, but also, in rivers used for hydroelectricity, irrigation or as industrial or other water supplies, the maintenance of sufficient water to fulfill the minimal requirements for fish. However, good quality water in sufficient quantities alone is not enough to guarantee the survival of fish. Intact fish habitats comprise various physical structures including plenty of hiding places, hunting grounds, reproduction and nursery areas within suitable distances from each other. This third aspect of conservation and restoration of aquatic habitats is a central point in the new Federal Law on Fisheries. Whereas the former versions of this law were more concerned with fishery regulations, the recent legislation defines new areas of responsibility for the federal and the cantonal governments. Aspects concerning fishery management lie now within the competence of the latter, leaving the federal administration more freedom to concentrate on the protection of endangered species and habitats. These objectives are acknowledged as a national responsibility, in agreement with the international engagement of Switzerland, e.g., in the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats which has been ratified by the Swiss Parliament. Fish conservation in Swiss legislation The new fishery law includes the conservation of the diversity of natural communities, especially all native fish and cyclostomes, independent of their commercial or halieutic value. Furthermore, clear priorities are set for the conservation of endangered species with a list of taxa to be protected and encouraged with appropriate measures enforced by the cantons. This list was compiled on the basis of a national distribution atlas of fish and cyclostomes (Pedroli, J.C., Zaugg, B. and Kirchhofer, A., 1991, Verbreitungsatlas der Fische und Rundmauler der Schweiz / Atlas de distribution des poissons et cyclostomes de Suisse. Documenta Faunistica Helvetiae 11: 1-207) and a Red List (Kirchhofer, A., Zaugg, B. and Pedroli, J.C., 1990, Rote Liste der Fische und Rundmauler der

9 x Schweiz I Liste rouge des poissons et cyclostomes de Suisse. Documenta Faunistica Helvetiae 9: 1-26). From the 54 native taxa of fish and cyclostomes in Switzerland, the taxa requiring protection are classified in the legislation in five categories: Category 0 (already extinct) Category 1 (in danger of extinction) Category 2 (strongly endangered) Category 3 (endangered) Category 4 (potentially endangered) Lampetra jluviatilis, Acipenser sturio. Alosa alosa alosa, A. alosa nilotica. Salmo salar, S. trutta trutta. Hucho hucho L. planeri, S. trutta marmoratus, Chondrostoma toxostoma, Misgumusfossilis, Zingel asper S. trutta lacustris, Barbus meridionalis, C. nasus. C. soetta, Leuciscus souffia. Rhodeus sericeus amarus. Blenniusjluviatilis, Padogobius panizzai A.fallax lacustris. Salve linus alpinus, Thymallus thymallus, Alburnoides bipunctatus. B. barbus plebe jus. Leucaspius delineatus, Leuciscus souffia muticellus, Cobitis-taenia Anguilla anguilla. S. truttafario. Coregonus spp, Cyprinus carpio, Albumus albumus. A. albidus. B. barbus barbus, Gobio gobio. Phoxinus phoxinus. Rutilus pigus. R. rubilio. Silurus glanis. Gasterosteus aculeatus. Cottus gobio The following 12 species are not included in this list, as their populations appear not to be threatened: Esox lucius, Abramis brama, Blicca bjoerkna, Leuciscus leuciscus. L. cephalus, Rutilus rutilus. Scardinius erythrophthalmus, Tinea tinea. Noemacheilus barbatulus, Lota Iota, Perea jluviatilis and Gymnocephalus cemua. With only less than a quarter of the total native fish fauna classified as not threatened, the situation in Switzerland may be judged as fairly critical. Just knowing the nature of the problem may already lead to significant improvements for some species, whereas for others, specific conservation programmes have to be implemented to ensure their survival. A profound knowledge of the ecological requirements of the species concerned is a prerequisite for an efficient protection policy. Therefore, the federal government not only supports the restoration and revitalisation of fish habitats, but also finances scientific research related to endangered species. Sustainable fishery management In Switzerland, the management of fish stocks and detailed regulations about fishery gears and methods now lie in the competence of the cantons. The federal regulations only determine minimal lengths and closed seasons for the majority of the commercial fish species. This allows an optimal exploitation on a small scale, taking into account the ecological specificities of the lakes

10 XI and rivers, as well as the biological characteristics of local fish populations. Nevertheless, the cantons are obliged to manage the fishery activities in such a way that fishery remains sustainable. The introduction 9f alien species into natural systems belongs to fishery management and the conservation of the native fish fauna. Exotic species can have a detrimental influence on the naturally evolved interactions in. aquatic ecosystems or even transmit new diseases, to which the native fauna is not adapted. Similarly, the introduction of hatchery strains from distant catchment basins can strongly affect indigenous populations which are considered as optimally adapted to the local environmental conditions. Both these kinds of introduction alter the structure of natural communities, and therefore the new Federal Law on Fishery contains restrictive regulations concerning the import and introduction of live fish intended for stocking. For each introduction of both alien species and genetically poorly adapted races or strains into natural systems, an authorisation is required, so a restrictive practice can be enforced. For example, the introduction of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is now limited exclusively to mountain lakes and reservoirs with no free connection to a river system. In all other open natural waters the introduction of this species is banned. Henceforth restocking programmes must rely on indigenous fish, and large-scale introductions of alien species or genetically poorly adapted races have to cease. The main objective of this legislative framework is to guarantee the integrity of the aquatic environment combined with the conservation of the aquatic fauna. This "new spirit" in fishery legislation was also the motive for the organisation of the Symposium on the Conservation of Endangered Freshwater Fish in Europe, which took place in July, 1994 at the University of Bern. With over 100 participants from 22 nations, the 65 spoken and poster contributions presented a survey of the situation in other countries or specific catchment areas together with many new research results in the fields of ecology, genetics and systematics on which the conservation of endangered species must be based. Examples of species or community rehabilitations also illustrated the past and present efforts to conserve the European fish fauna. In the three workshops organised by Peter S. Maitland (Faunistic surveys and vulnerability assessments), Josef WanzenbOck (Conservation of European mudminnow, Umbra krameri) and Antonin Lelek (Management and rehabilitation of habitat of endangered fishes) the ways and means for effective conservation were intensively discussed. All manuscripts submitted for these proceedings were reviewed by specialists. The editors would like to thank H. Ahnelt, J. Allardi, M.W. Aprahamian, L. Bematchez, P.G. Bianco, R. Bless, S.J. de Groot, W. Donni, P.S. Economidis, B. Elvira, J. Holcik, R. Hofer, E. Kainz, H. Keckeis, R. Kinzelbach, M. Kottelat, H.R. Kristiansen, A. Lelek, P.S. Maitland, W. Meyer, R. Muller, M. Peiiaz, T. Penczak, A. Peter, J.F. Rubin, N. Ryman, R. Rosch, E. Staub, W. Steffens, J. Wanzenbock and 1.1. Winfield for their helpful assistance.

11 XII We are grateful to all the sponsors of this publication. Thanks are also due to Daniel Bernet, Beatrice Dobmann, Kurt Hofer, Carlo Largiader, Therese Lindt Kirchhofer, Maja Mezzera, Erich Staub and Gabriela Zehnder for their help during the symposium, to Daphne Zbiiren-Colbourn for linguistic improvements to some manuscripts and especially to J'herese Lindt Kirchhofer for her assistance in the final editing of the present volume. We are perfectly aware that legislation or knowledge alone is not sufficient to preserve the biodiversity of the aquatic environment, and that Red Lists provide no solution to the problems involved but can only indicate the urgent need for action. We hope, however, that it is not too late for the European fish fauna to recover and that further efforts in fish conservation will be stimulated by this contribution. Arthur Kirchhofer Institute of Zoology, University of Bern Daniel Hefti Federal Office of Environment, Forests and Landscape (FOEFL) Bern, September 1995