A preliminary study was carried out in mid 1999 on the status and potential impact of the introduction of exotic fish species in the Mekong Basin. Introductions have been made for four main purposes: aquaculture, stocking into lakes and reservoirs, pest control (mosquito) and the aquarium fish trade. Introductions of exotic species and movements of large quantities of fish for stocking are accompanied by risks to the environment, the possibility of native fish species declining through competition, predation or genetic interference, and the possible spread of disease | The Impacts of Introductions and Stocking of Exotic Species in the Mekong Basin and Policies for Their Control MRC Technical Paper No. 9 May 2003 THE IMPACTS OF INTRODUCTIONS AND STOCKING OF EXOTIC SPECIES IN THE MEKONG BASIN AND POLICIES FOR THEIR CONTROL By Robin L. Welcomme and Chavalit .
