Introductions and Survival of Nonindigenous Species in Freshwater Systems

Industries that Import Nonindigenous
Species

Many industries are directly or indirectly responsible for the introduction of harmful nonindigenous species into Florida. Each year, more than $1 billion of woody ornamental plants (for landscaping and shade) and $170 million of tropical fishes and aquarium plants continue to be imported into Florida (United States Congress 1993). Most of Florida's 19 established nonindigenous fish species came from aquarium-fish culture facilities (Courtenay and Stauffer 1990). The aquarium-plant trade introduced many nonindigenous plant species and released hydrilla into canals near Tampa in the 1950's and later into Miami canals and into the Crystal River (Joyce 1990). The existence of nonindigenous birds, reptiles, and mammals in Florida is due in part to pet wholesalers-merchants and to individual pet owners (Owre 1973; Toops and Dilley 1986). Many insects were primarily introduced to control nuisance plants (Frank and McCoy 1993).