Source: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA submitted to
EVALUATION OF THE FISH INVASIVENESS SCORING KIT (FISK) AS A SCREENING TOOL FOR NON-NATIVE FRESHWATER FISHES IN FLORIDA
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
SPECIAL GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0222625
Grant No.
2010-34135-21173
Project No.
FLA-FOR-005050
Proposal No.
2010-03266
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
AH
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2010
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2013
Grant Year
2010
Project Director
Hill, J. E.
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
G022 MCCARTY HALL
GAINESVILLE,FL 32611
Performing Department
Forest Resources and Conservation
Non Technical Summary
Invasive species threaten native species, natural ecosystems, agriculture and other industries, and human health. The use risk analysis is an effective strategy to reduce the probability that non-native species will establish and have negative impacts. There is considerable interest in the U.S. and in Florida to evaluate methods and to conduct risk analysis for non-native freshwater fishes and other organisms. Unfortunately, complete risk analysis for a single species is data-intensive, time-consuming, and expensive. It can be beyond the resource capability of agencies or industries to evaluate a large suite of species. A relatively quick and simple screening process used in the early stages of risk assessment can save time and money and inform management decisions, including the need for a full risk analysis. The Fish Invasiveness Scoring Kit (FISK) was developed in the United Kingdom as a screening tool to access potential invasiveness of non-native freshwater fishes. The method was adapted from the highly successful Australian Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) model. FISK was explicitly designed to meet international standards such as the World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity and has been incorporated as the screening mechanism under the framework of the European Non-Native Species in Aquaculture Risk Assessment Scheme (ENSARS). We propose to apply the FISK screening tool to the more than 100 non-native freshwater fish species introduced into peninsular Florida. We further propose to calibrate the FISK threshold values using scores from these species to formally assess the predictive ability of the FISK screening algorithm to determine Florida-specific thresholds to discriminate invasive and non-invasive fishes. The results of this proposed project will result in a relatively quick, inexpensive methodology for distinguishing invasive freshwater fishes from those of low risk and provide decision makers with information needed to prioritize resource use allocated to prevention and management of invasive fishes.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
50%
Developmental
50%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1350810107025%
1350819107025%
1360810107025%
1360819107025%
Knowledge Area
135 - Aquatic and Terrestrial Wildlife; 136 - Conservation of Biological Diversity;

Subject Of Investigation
0810 - Finfish; 0819 - Natural fisheries, other;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology;
Goals / Objectives
The Fish Invasiveness Scoring Kit (FISK) was developed in the United Kingdom as a screening tool to access potential invasiveness of non-native freshwater fishes. The method was adapted from the highly successful Australian Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) model. The method is semi-quantitative and provides a scoring framework for biogeographical, historical, biological, and ecological information on a species. Higher scores indicate higher risk and threshold values are established to categorize species as low, medium, or high risk. We propose to apply the FISK screening tool to the more than 100 nonnative freshwater fish species introduced into peninsular Florida. This will determine (1) if species that have established and shown negative effects will attract high scores and be correctly classified as invasive, (2) if species that have established but have not had widespread negative effects will attract medium scores indicating a need for further evaluation, and (3) if species that have been introduced but have either failed to establish self-sustaining populations, reproduced only for a short time period before dying out, or have no detectable negative effects will attract low scores and be classified as low risk. We further propose to calibrate the FISK threshold values using scores from these species to generate receiver operating characteristic curves to formally assess the predictive ability of the FISK screening algorithm to determine Florida-specific thresholds to discriminate invasive and non-invasive fishes. The results of this project will develop a relatively quick, inexpensive methodology for distinguishing invasive freshwater fishes from those of low risk and provide decision makers with information needed to prioritize resource use allocated to prevention and management of invasive fishes. Once validated and calibrated for Florida, FISK can be applied to new imports and species currently in trade to reduce the probability that new invasive fishes will establish in Florida. Specific objectives are Objective 1: Apply the Fish Invasiveness Scoring Kit (FISK) method to all non-native freshwater fish species introduced into open waters of peninsular Florida. Objective 2: Calibrate the FISK scoring thresholds to identify accurately the risk categories for non-native freshwater fishes in Florida. Objective 3: Develop a modified FISK screening tool that can be used to evaluate risks of new introductions and non-native species currently in trade. This new Florida FISK screening tool will then be published in the scientific literature and on the World Wide Web, presented at scientific meetings, and made accessible to natural resource agencies and industries for application to their specific needs.
Project Methods
Objective 1: We will compile a list of non-native freshwater fish species introduced into open waters of peninsular Florida. We will concentrate on peninsular Florida because this is the region of most introductions of freshwater fishes in Florida; most introduced fishes in this region originated outside of the U.S.; and the biogeography, fish fauna, and climate are distinct from northern Florida. We will use this list to compile species summaries containing information necessary with which to carry out FISK assessments of each species. All species will be scored according to the FISK screening tool. Four scorers will be randomly assigned half of the species such that each species is evaluated by two scorers. This will provide a mean score and estimate of scoring variability (difference in scores) for each species. Each species will be placed into risk categories (low, medium, or high) based on the original and UK-calibrated FISK scoring thresholds. A comparison of these categories will be made with each other and with current regulation, management, and relative impact. Objective 2: FISK scores for each species will be used to calibrate the score thresholds that are appropriate to assign risk categories for Florida. We will obtain independent estimates of invasiveness by surveying knowledgeable scientists and will use the classification of invasive or noninvasive as given in FishBase. These will be used a priori to assign risk categories for each species for the subsequent statistical analysis. We will use receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to assess the predictive ability of FISK and to determine threshold scores to discriminate among risk categories and invasive versus noninvasive fishes. An ROC curve is a graph of sensitivity versus 1-specificity, with sensitivity being the proportion of invasive fish species correctly identified and specificity being the proportion of noninvasive fish correctly identified. Separate analyses will be performed using the independent assessment of invasiveness from the survey and from FishBase. Statistical tests will be used to evaluate the ability of the screening tool to discriminate between invasive and noninvasive fishes, to identify the FISK score that maximizes the probability of correctly classifying invasive species while minimizing the probability of incorrectly classifying a noninvasive species as invasive, and to evaluate the ability of the screening tool to differentiate between low risk species and those of medium/high risk. Objective 3: We will take the information gained from Objectives 1 and 2 to modify the FISK for use as a screening tool to evaluate non-native freshwater fishes in the context of the risk environment of Florida. New threshold scores will be determined for risk categories and other possible modifications include changes to questions, responses, or response scores to better reflect the conditions of Florida. This new Florida FISK screening tool will then be published in the scientific literature and on the World Wide Web, presented at scientific meetings, and made accessible to natural resource agencies and industries for application to their specific needs.

Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/13

Outputs
Target Audience: The main target audience was state natural resource and agricultural agencies, primarily the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Secondary audiences included federal agencies (Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey), aquaculture and aquarium industry, and state cooperative extension service county faculty and Sea Grant faculty. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Project director and graduate student held a workshop for staff of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in Tallahssee, Florida to present the findings of the project, train the staff in the use of the risk screening tool, and demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? In addition to a workshop for agency staff, the results of the project and the FISK methodology developed have been made available to interested communities by scientific publication, conference presentations, extension workshop presentations, formal classroom lectures, and one-on-one contacts. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? All objectives were met. Objective 1 - FISK applied to 95 species of non-native freshwater fishes introduced into peninsular Florida. Objective 2 - Calibration of FISK for Florida is complete. Objective 3 - Revised FISK (v2) has been disseminated to agencies, the scientific community, and industry; the software to use the revised FISK is freely available on the website of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (http://www.cefas.defra.gov.uk/our-science/ecosystems-and-biodiversity/non-native-species/decision-support-tools.aspx).

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Lawson, L.L., Jr., J.E. Hill, L. Vilizzi, S. Hardin, and G.H. Copp. 2013. Revisions of the Fish Invasiveness Screening Kit (FISK) for its application in warmer climatic zones, with particular reference to peninsular Florida. Risk Analysis 33(8):1414-1431.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2013 Citation: Hill, J.E., L.L. Lawson, Jr., and S. Hardin. Accepted. Assessment of risks of transgenic fluorescent ornamental fishes to the United States using the Fish Invasiveness Screening Kit (FISK). Transactions of the American Fisheries Society.


Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities include completion of modifications to FISK v1 to create FISK v2.03, survey of experts on non-native fishes in FLorida, assessments of 98 species (>80 with 2-4 assessors), and evaluation of scoring criteria. Events include invited presentations at the Organization of Fish and Wildlife Information Managers annual meeting (St. Louis, Oct. 2011)and the Non-native Ornamental Aquaculture Workshop (Tampa, Feb 2012), and contributed presentations at the American Fisheries Society annual meetings (Seattle, Sept 2011; St. Paul, Aug 2012) and the Florida Chapter of the American Fisheries Society annual meeting (Ocala, Feb 2012). Disseminations included continued collaborations with researchers in Europe, Australia, and Mexico and with agency staff in the USA. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals working on this project included Jeffrey E. Hill (Project Principal Investigator-University of Florida) and Larry Lawson (Graduate Student-University of Florida). Partner organizations included the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Scott Hardin) and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (CEFAS-Gordon Copp). TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include natural resource managers and regulators in Florida, the U.S., and internationally; academic audiences; and the aquaculture and aquarium industry. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Changes in knowledge included making agency staff and the aquaculture industry aware of FISK methodology and its applicability for screening non-native fishes in the US and other regions. Changes in action included finalization of modifications to FISK v1 to create FISK v2.03, the current FISK for use by researchers and managers worldwide (available at www.cefas.org).

Publications

  • Lawson, L.L., Jr., L. Vilizzi, J.E. Hill, S. Hardin, and G.H. Copp. 2012 (in press). Revisions of the Fish Invasiveness Scoring Kit (FISK) for its application in warmer climatic zones, with particular reference to peninsular Florida. Risk Analysis.
  • Lawson, L.L., Jr., J.E. Hill, S. Hardin, L. Vilizzi, and G.H. Copp. 2012. Adaptation, Evaluation and Calibration of FISK as a Risk Screening Tool for Non-Native Fish in Florida. Abstract. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. St. Paul, Minnesota. Aug 2012.
  • Lawson, L.L., Jr., J.E. Hill, S. Hardin, L. Vilizzi, and G.H. Copp. 2012. Adaptation and Evaluation of the Fish Invasiveness Scoring Kit (FISK) as a Risk Assessment Screening Tool for Non-native Fishes in Florida. Abstract. Annual Meeting of the Florida Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Ocala, Florida. Feb 2012.
  • Lawson, L.L., Jr., J.E. Hill, S. Hardin, L. Vilizzi, and G.H. Copp. 2012. Adaptation and Evaluation of the Fish Invasiveness Scoring Kit (FISK) as a Risk Assessment Screening Tool for Non-native Fishes in Florida. Abstract. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Seattle, Washington. Sept 2011.
  • Lawson, L.L., Jr. and J.E. Hill. 2011. Adaptation and Evaluation of the Fish Invasiveness Scoring Kit (FISK) as a Risk Assessment Screening Tool for Non-native Fishes in Florida. Abstract. Annual Meeting of the Organization of Fish and Wildlife Information Managers. St. Louis, Missouri. Oct 2011.


Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities include development of a list of fishes introduced into peninsular Florida, directed literature reviews for species on list, modification of the FISK questions and question guidance, project team meeting, survey development and IRB approval, scoring of 30 species with two to four scorers per species. Events include an invited presentation at an international conference, the Caribbean Food Crop Society annual meeting in Barbados, a graduate student symposium presentation, and accepted oral presentations for the annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society (Seattle, September 2011) and the annual meeting of the Organization of Fish and Wildlife Information Managers (St. Louis, October 2011). Dissemination included new collaborations with international researchers using or interested in using FISK in Australia, Belgium, the Caribbean region, Japan, Mexico, and the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals working on this project included Jeffrey E. Hill (Project Principal Investigator-University of Florida) and Larry Lawson (Graduate Student-University of Florida). Partner organizations included the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Scott Hardin) and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (CEFAS-Gordon Copp). TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include natural resource managers and regulators in Florida, the U.S., and internationally; academic audiences; and the aquaculture and aquarium industry. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Changes in knowledge included making natural resource managers and regulators in the Caribbean region aware of FISK methodology and the potential utility of this screening tool for non-native fish and other taxa in their region, increasing knowledge of FISK by Florida resource managers and regulators, and a re-evaluation of species introduced into peninsular Florida. Change in action included modification to the FISK questions and question guidance that is now the standard FISK for use by researchers and managers worldwide (available at www.cefas.org).

Publications

  • Hill, J. E., and L. L. Lawson. 2011 (In press). Evaluation of the Fish Invasiveness Scoring Kit (FISK) as a Screening Tool for Non-Native Freshwater Fishes in Florida. Proceedings of the 47th Annual Meeting of the Caribbean Food Crops Society, July 3-8, Barbados.
  • Hill, J. E., and L. L. Lawson. 2011. Evaluation of the Fish Invasiveness Scoring Kit (FISK) as a Screening Tool for Non-Native Freshwater Fishes in Florida. 47th Annual Meeting of the Caribbean Food Crops Society, July 3-8, Barbados.(Abstract)