Peter Butcherine, a researcher with Southern Cross University is currently studying the effect the insecticide neonicotinoid (a systemic agricultural insecticide resembling nicotine) is having on the aquatic environment and more specifically the commercial shrimp species. Following is some more information from Peter on what the talk will include.
Don’t forget to bring some money for the raffle and a mug for the tea, coffee and biscuits following the meeting.
This is a great chance to learn more about our marine environment and to catch up with other diving enthusiasts.
THE RISK OF NEONICOTINOID EXPOSURE TO SHRIMP AQUACULTURE
Issues impacting survivorship and productivity in global shrimp aquaculture are increasing. The appearance of these issues appears to coincide with the release of new insecticides, the neonicotinoids, to the global market. The widespread use of systemic neonicotinoid insecticides in agriculture has resulted in the unintended contamination of aquatic environments. Neonicotinoids are regularly detected in water quality surveys of rivers and waterways at concentrations that could impact aquaculture stock. The high toxicity of neonicotinoids to non-target aquatic insects and crustaceans has been established, however, there is a paucity of information on their effects on commercial shrimp species. My preliminary research indicates that commercially produced shrimp can uptake neonicotinoids from contaminated water and therefore may be susceptible to their effects.
