Biofouling, shipping and invasive marine species: What are the risks?

The introduction of non-indigenous marine species (NIMS) into Australian waters associated with shipping is documented from the late 19th century, and potentially dates back to European colonisation and possibly to earlier... [ view full abstract ]

The introduction of non-indigenous marine species (NIMS) into Australian waters associated with shipping is documented from the late 19th century, and potentially dates back to European colonisation and possibly to earlier voyages of discovery. However, concerns on non-indigenous marine species, and more particularly those with invasive traits, heightened during the 1990s with the arrival and spread of invasive species including Asterias amurensis, Undaria pinnatifida and Sabella spallanzanii. In response, the development of The National System for the Prevention and Management of Marine Pest Incursions was initiated and the refinement and implementation of this system continues. Biofouling on ships continues to be considered the culprit responsible for most NIMS introductions, but dry ballast, ballast water, aquaculture and the aquarium trade are also recognised as significant vectors. The impact of biofouling on ship operation and performance has led to a long history of studies on the composition of biofouling and methods for its prevention, and this is now supplemented by recent studies to assess the associated risk of invasive species translocation. These studies suggest that the biofouling community is primarily one of opportunistic species that, when introduced to new environments, predominantly establish and persist only on artificial structures or in otherwise modified or disturbed environments. Against this background, this talk will discuss the impacts of biofouling NIMS and the role of shipping, and of different types of shipping and shipping movements, on the introduction and spread of environmentally and economically harmful marine species.