 |
Ref:341/02 |
|
 |
Mexico
- June 26, 2002 |
Source:
FIS
- Latino |
|
|
Can
falcons save aquaculture? |
|
| The
aquaculture sector is turning to falcons for protection.
These birds of prey can cover a vast area in a short period
of time warding off other birds that help themselves to the
contents of aquaculture ponds.
René Higuera Paredes, technical
director of Atanasia-Mélagos Integral Aquaculture
Consultancy, says the use of such birds is a safe way of
protecting an industry plagued by ducks, seagulls, pelicans,
herons |
Shrimp farmers are troubled
by seagulls when water levels drop even though they use
sound devices to scare them off. (Photo:FIS) |
| and
other types of wading birds, which often take postlarvae and
juveniles from ponds. Between 100 and 150 juveniles have
been found in the stomach of just one of these birds.
According to reports, tilapia
farmers incur devastating losses because of ducks that prey
on the docile fish and those who farm shrimp are troubled by
seagulls when water levels drop even though they use sound
devices to scare them off.
What’s more, says Higuera
Paredes, these birds can transmit diseases from an infected
area to a “clean” area. Aquaculture biosafety measures only
consider diseases passed via land or water, but not the air.
The aquaculture industry
should look into using falcons more often, as they could be
just what the sector needs, concludes Higuera Paredes. |
|
|
|
