Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Assistant Prof, Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
2
Associate Professor, Department of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
Abstract
This article examines the possible biological, economic, cultural, political, security, and social threats of goldfish as a non-native and invasive species with a passive defense approach. Invasive species are organisms that have been intentionally or accidentally introduced into a new ecosystem and have harmful economic and environmental effects. Due to their high ability to adapt and reproduce rapidly, goldfish have created serious threats to aquatic ecosystems, economy, culture, politics, security, and society. This article, with a passive defense approach, offers solutions to reduce these threats without using aggressive and destructive methods. From a biological perspective, goldfish disrupt the ecological balance and reduce biodiversity by competing for food resources and habitat, transmitting diseases and parasites, and changing the structure of microbial and chemical communities in the water. Economically and socially, this species imposes a significant financial burden on local communities and governments by reducing fisheries and aquaculture production, increasing management and control costs, and negatively impacting the tourism industry, leading to a decrease in public income and creating dissatisfaction in fishing communities. From a cultural and political perspective, incorrect beliefs and rituals regarding the release of goldfish into the wild have led to the spread of this species and further environmental degradation, and the spread of this species in shared water resources between countries can cause international tension and disputes. From a security perspective, the reduction of native aquatic resources and the increase in the costs of managing this species threaten the food and financial security of communities. This article, conducted with a combined approach of qualitative and quantitative content analysis of articles from various reputable scientific databases including Scopus and Elsevier, and by presenting solutions based on passive defense, including public education, continuous monitoring of water resources, establishing stricter laws, using biological control methods, and promoting local community participation and international cooperation, shows that effective management of these threats requires comprehensive cooperation and implementation of preventive measures. It is suggested that future research should focus on developing new management methods and assessing the long-term impacts of this species.
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