Angling web forums as an additional tool for detection of new fish introductions: the first record of Perca fluviatilis in continental Portugal

Abstract

This work reports for the first time the presence of a non-native fish, the European Perch (Perca fluviatilis), in continental Portugal. The presence of this species was first reported on an angling web forum and its occurrence was scientifically confirmed later in a small reservoir of the Tagus river basin, located in the central region of Portugal. The importance of the angling web forums as a useful tool to help detection of non-native fish species introductions and their potential for education on biological invasions is discussed.

Keywords

• Biological invasions
• angling
• freshwater introductions
• invasive fish