AQUACULTURE BIOSECURITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL INTERACTIONS

This book discusses aquaculture biosecurity, environmental interactions and introductions of alien invasive species in Zambia. As a result of the increase in the farming of aquatic animals, much of the rich biodiversity of Zambia is threatened by the invasion of Invasive Alien Species (IAS). Animal diseases and invasive animal and plant pests are being spread- a situation compounded from a biosecurity perspective by a quantum leap in aquaculture technologies. Furthermore, most small scale farmers were unable to implement basic biosecurity measures such as foot and wheel bath, spray races, water testing kit, disinfection points and quarantine facilities. Although to date, the country has enacted 30 legislative instruments that addressed the conservation of biodiversity and protection of the environment, most of these instruments were enacted more than 30 years ago and some have been reviewed several times since. This, therefore, calls for additional control measures to be instituted.