Extinction risk of exploited wild roach (Rutilus rutilus) populations due to chemical feminization.

A model that assesses risks posed by feminization to wild populations of roach was developed. A population life table matrix model that considered both sexes and a newly developed fertility kinetic function was applied to calculate the intrinsic population growth rate (lambda) of roach populations where males had been feminized. The maximum sustainable yield (MSY) was used to quantify the effect of various degrees of feminization on sustainability of exploited fisheries. Risk of extinction was calculated for wild roach populations. The results of the simulations suggested that (a) In the absence of fishing pressure lambda would only be decreased 1.5-1.7% even in the presence of a 100% incidence of intersex; (b) in the presence of selective fishing, the occurrence of intersex could significantly increase the extinction risk of local roach populations; (c) the benchmark value for the severity index of intersex and sex ratio required for a sustainable population of roach were estimated to be 1.13 and 0.57, respectively. The approach presented here provides a tool to (1) understand effects of male's feminization on population dynamics; (2) assess extinction risk of wild roach populations from feminization; (3) assist environmental managers in making policy decisions relative to fishery resource conservation.

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