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- Source: 3D Earth Knowledge Bureau
- Author/3D Earth Knowledge Bureau
You may have heard about the invasion of Asian carp in the United States, where they multiply in rivers and lakes, threatening the survival of native fish.
But did you know that there is another creature from Asia that is also causing a serious ecological crisis in the United States, and they are the Asian tiger prawns? Large, ferocious, and reproductive, these tiger prawns have established stable populations along the eastern seaboard of the United States and the Gulf of Mexico.
They have a huge impact on the local aquaculture industry and ecosystem, even more so than the Asian carp. So, how did the Asian tiger shrimp invade the United States?
How terrible are they, and how is the United States responding to this biological invasion?
The Asian tiger prawn, also known as the black tiger prawn or giant tiger prawn, is a shallow-water marine shrimp species native to the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean.
They belong to the phylum Decapodan and are one of the largest prawns in the world. They have a dark body with black and orange stripes on their back and tail, hence the name.
They can reach a body length of 30 centimeters and weigh up to 1 catty, which is equivalent to the thickness of a child's arm.
The Asian tiger shrimp is a carnivorous animal that feeds on other small crustaceans, molluscs, fish, etc. They are also highly effective predators, capable of tracking and catching moving prey.
They are also highly adaptable and able to survive in environmental conditions such as temperature, salinity, oxygen content, etc. They generally have a lifespan of about 3 years and can lay up to 1.5 million eggs twice a year.
Asian tiger prawns are a popular edible shrimp in Asia, with delicious meat and rich nutrients. They also contain 20% higher than other shrimp astaxanthin, a natural pigment with antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-cancer and other effects.
Therefore, Asian tiger shrimp are farmed and exported on a large scale in Southeast Asia, India and other countries.
Asiatic tiger shrimp did not enter U.S. waters naturally, but were caused by human factors. As early as the 80s of the last century, the United States began to introduce Asian tiger shrimp from Thailand and other countries for commercial breeding and scientific experiments.
At that time, the United States believed that Asian tiger shrimp had high economic value and market potential, and could be used as a supplement to the local aquaculture industry.
However, in September 1988, a Category 5 hurricane called Gilbert struck the southern coastal region of the United States, causing a huge disaster.
One of the experimental Asian tiger shrimp farms in South Carolina was also severely damaged, with large numbers of Asian tiger shrimp escaping into the surrounding seas. This is the origin of the Asian tiger shrimp invasion of the United States.
Since the United States did not effectively monitor and control the escape of Asian tiger shrimp at that time, these Asian tiger shrimp quietly multiplied and spread in the sea.
It wasn't until 2006 that the United States discovered large numbers of Asian tiger shrimp in the Mississippi Bay near Dauphin Island. The average body length of these Asian tiger prawns reaches 15 centimeters, with some even exceeding 25 centimeters.
In 2011, the United States caught a giant Asian tiger shrimp up to 30 centimeters long and weighing 1 pound in the St. Johns River in Florida.
According to the U.S. Department of Fisheries, Asian tiger shrimp have established stable populations along the eastern coast of the United States and the Gulf of Mexico, with a tendency to spread north and west.
It is estimated that there are now more than 1 million Asian tiger prawns in U.S. waters.
As an invasive alien species, the Asian tiger shrimp has had a serious impact on both the aquaculture industry and ecosystems in the United States. It is mainly manifested in the following aspects:
Competition and predation of indigenous aquatic resources. As Asian tiger prawns are carnivorous animals, they feed on other small crustaceans, molluscs, fish, etc., including some indigenous commercial and conservation aquatic resources.
For example, the eastern seaboard of the United States and the Gulf of Mexico are among the world's largest producers of vannamei shrimp, an aquatic product with high economic value, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for the United States each year.
However, litopenaeus vannamei is one of the favorite foods of Asian tiger prawns. According to studies, Asian tiger prawns can eat 10% of their body weight as white shrimp every day. This means that, if left unchecked, Asian tiger prawns can eat up the vannamei shrimp and affect their reproduction and growth. In addition to vannamei shrimp, Asian
Tiger prawns also prey on other native prawns, crabs, oysters, mussels and other aquatic products, reducing their quantity and quality.
Destruction and pollution of native ecosystems. As Asian tiger prawns are highly effective predators, they alter the local food chain structure and energy flow, affecting the survival and diversity of other aquatic organisms.
For example, Asian tiger prawns can reduce the food source of some native fish and birds, causing them to starve or migrate.
In addition, Asian tiger shrimp can also pollute the local water quality because they excrete a large amount of feces and residues, increasing the content of organic matter and nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus in the water, which leads to eutrophication and hypoxia of the water body, affecting the respiration and metabolism of other aquatic organisms.
In addition, Asian tiger shrimp may also carry some pathogens and parasites, which can be transmitted to native aquatic organisms, causing some diseases and deaths.
Threats to human health and safety. Although Asian tiger prawn is a delicious edible shrimp, it also has certain food risks.
Because Asian tiger shrimp may eat some aquatic organisms that contain harmful substances such as heavy metals, pesticides, antibiotics, etc., resulting in the accumulation of these substances in their own bodies.
If humans eat these contaminated Asian tiger prawns, there is a risk of damage to the human body.
For example, heavy metals can damage the nervous system, liver, kidneys and other organs of the human body, pesticides can interfere with the body's endocrine system, and antibiotics can lead to drug resistance in the human body.
In addition, Asian tiger prawns may also cause some allergic reactions such as rashes, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, etc. It is also important to note that Asian tiger prawns have sharp spines on their heads and tails, which can cause severe pain and bleeding if accidentally stabbed.
Faced with the serious consequences of the Asian tiger shrimp invasion, the U.S. government and relevant departments have taken some measures to deal with it.
Strengthen monitoring and reporting. The U.S. Department of Fisheries has set up a dedicated website to collect and publish information on the invasion of Asian tiger shrimp.
The website provides information on how to identify Asian tiger prawns, their distribution ranges, and capture records, and encourages the public to report when they find them, and provides relevant photos, locations, numbers, and other information.
In this way, the U.S. Fisheries Department can grasp the dynamics and trends of Asian tiger shrimp invasion in a timely manner and develop corresponding response strategies.
Strengthen scientific research and evaluation. The U.S. Department of Fisheries has also collaborated with other research institutes and universities to conduct a series of scientific studies and evaluations on the invasion of Asian tiger shrimp.
These efforts mainly include analyzing the genome, biological characteristics, ecological Xi, food selection, predation pressure, reproductive capacity, adaptability and other aspects of Asian tiger shrimp, and assessing the impact and potential risks of Asian tiger shrimp on native aquatic resources and ecosystems.
Through these efforts, the U.S. Department of Fisheries can gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms and patterns of Asian tiger shrimp invasion and provide a scientific basis for the development of effective control measures.
Strengthen management and control. The U.S. Department of Fisheries has also developed a number of regulations and guidelines for managing and controlling Asian tiger shrimp invasions.
For example, the introduction, breeding, transport, trade, and release of Asian tiger shrimp in U.S. waters are prohibited to prevent their further spread and reproduction.
At the same time, fishermen and consumers are encouraged to kill and cryopreserve Asian tiger prawns when they are caught or purchased to prevent them from escaping or breeding again.
In addition, fishermen and consumers are advised to check Asian tiger prawns for signs of contamination or infection when consuming them, and to avoid people who are overeating or allergies.
Strengthen advocacy and education. The U.S. Fisheries Department also uses a variety of media and channels to inform and educate the public about the Asiatic tiger shrimp invasion.
These publicity and education include the source, characteristics, hazards, control and other aspects of Asian tiger prawns, and remind the public to pay attention to identifying, reporting, handling and eating Asian tiger prawns.
Through these campaigns and education, the U.S. Department of Fisheries hopes to increase public awareness and vigilance about Asian tiger shrimp invasions, as well as public awareness and capacity to participate in preventing Asian tiger shrimp invasions.
The Asian tiger shrimp invasion is a global biological invasion problem that affects not only the United States, but also other countries and regions.
For example, Asian tiger shrimp have also been found in Europe, Africa, South America and other places, and have caused a certain degree of ecological crisis.
Therefore, the Asian tiger shrimp invasion requires global attention and cooperation to effectively stop and control.
Currently, the U.S. Department of Fisheries is working with other countries and organizations to share data and information on Asian tiger shrimp invasions, and to explore the development of international norms and agreements to regulate Asian tiger shrimp trade and management, and to strengthen monitoring and early warning of Asian tiger shrimp invasions.
At the same time, the U.S. Fisheries Department is looking for more effective methods and technologies to interrupt or reduce the reproduction and spread of Asian tiger shrimp, and to mitigate its impact on native aquatic resources and ecosystems.
For example, genetic engineering or biological control is used to interfere with or disrupt the growth, development or reproductive ability of Asian tiger shrimp.
In conclusion, the invasion of Asian tiger shrimp is a serious ecological challenge that needs to be addressed by all countries around the world.
Only through a scientific, rational and coordinated way can we effectively protect the local aquatic resources and ecosystems, and maintain the health and balance of the water environment.
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