Invasive Alien Species

Learning Tasks in NatSci13 - ECOLOGY Greje Abangan (11095024)

Invasive Species Learning Task

Introduction Alien species that become invasive are considered to be a main direct driver of biodiversity loss across the globe. In addition, invasive alien species (IAS) have been estimated to cost global economies hundreds of billions of dollars. Managing these IAS has become a problem of governments. The Philippines has its own share of IAS, one of these is the janitor fish that has practically invaded almost all freshwater ecosystems in the country. Learning Task #1 Read articles and scientific studies about invasive alien species. Supply and complete the following information being asked for: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Identify 4 IAS found in the Philippines. Give their common names and scientific names. Trace their place of origin. Describe their geographic distribution. Discuss their feeding ecology. Assess their positive and negative impacts. Provide pictures/images of these IAS.

Please see a separate sheet for the Table prepared for this learning Task. Learning Task #2 The janitor fish is not a native fish of the Philippines; it was originally imported as a helpful fish to clean the algae and debris in tropical fish enthusiasts aquariums. It has now been introduced, either accidentally or deliberately, into the Marikina River and other freshwater lakes and rivers in the Philippines. It has adapted very well and its populations are increasing. Potential Solutions There seem to be several promising livelihood possibilities that involve new uses of the janitor fish that may be able to benefit the trash pickers and poor families: 1. 2. 3. 4. Fish Leather can be created out of the janitor fish skin. Janitor Fish can be source of Fish Meat Organic Fish Fertilizer can be created out of fish oil Grill Nets or traps on their nests

Fish Leather

Invasive Alien Species

Learning Tasks in NatSci13 - ECOLOGY Greje Abangan (11095024) An article from Greenfields Magazine, an agricultural and agribusiness magazine once cited the work of three Manila Science High School students who have tried to study the feasibility of janitor fish as a source of Fish Leather. They took 25 janitor fish from Marikina River and carefully scraped the flesh and other organs from the skin, cured and treated the fish skin and discovered that the skin can be crafted into coin purses, key holders and other small articles. A similar study has been done using Australian Salmon, and Sharks. (Crustado, 2006)

ADVANTAGES Income generated in communities as a livelihood project with skin being priced at Php30 per kilo. Reduction of the Population of the Janitor Fish Relieve the pressures on the fisher folk catching Tilapia, Bangus and Catfish with les damage to fishing nets done by janitor fish

DISADVANTAGES Size of the Janitor Fish would need additional fishing strategies, the size of the fish must be bigger for the products to be viable Information to the study and the viability would be challenging Organizations or Projects who would finance the program might be difficult, But it is possible that this project or business can be viable in the future.

Source of Food

It has been reported that Janitor Fish can be eaten safe says on a study done by the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (PCAMRD). (Ramos, 2005) With the tremendous growth rate of and large numbers caught in fishing nets, why not eat them? In fact, after verifying from the Laguna Lake Development Authority that they are edible and that they were not traced out with heavy metals on them, they are also being eaten in restaurants in South America. Janitor fish is eaten grilled and made into soup. Some already commends that it is tastier than catfish and less smelly that the local tilapia. This can be a great source of protein. Biofuel and Agriculture

A student once has looked for ways to use the janitor fish for chicken feed discovered a way to use them to develop bio-fuel. He won third grand prize n the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. It was found out that the fish can be used as an additive for diesel fuel that could lower the price of petroleum. Another study by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture started a program design to rid wetland areas of janitor fish by using them to make livestock feed. Fishermen are paid to catch the janitor fish for processing into fish meal that will be used as ingredient in fish, livestock or animal food. They can be used as a liquid fertilizer as well.

Invasive Alien Species

Learning Tasks in NatSci13 - ECOLOGY Greje Abangan (11095024) Grill Nets

According to Dr. Jonathan Armbruster, curator of fished of the Auburn University in Alabama, United States, to contain the population of the so called janitor fish, the best way is to catch the adults through grill nets or traps at their nesting sites.

Bibliography
Crustado, E. R. (2006, February 16). Waste no more, pest no more (Inventions from the young). Greenfields , pp. 18-20. Ramos, M. (2005, July 28). Janitor Fish Safe, Says Study. Philippine Daily Inquirer , p. A16.

Invasive Alien Species

Learning Tasks in NatSci13 - ECOLOGY Greje Abangan (11095024)