Identifying potential marine pests--a deductive approach applied to Australia

Area of Science:

• Marine biology
• Invasive species ecology
• Biosecurity

Background:

• Introduced marine organisms pose significant threats to global coastal resources.
• Effective risk assessment and management of invasive species rely on comprehensive lists of potentially harmful organisms.
• Shipping vectors, such as ballast water and hull fouling, are primary pathways for marine introductions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline a deductive hazard assessment technique for identifying potential marine pests.
• To apply this technique to the Australian context to predict "next pests" arriving via shipping.
• To provide a transparent and consistent methodology aligned with international biosecurity initiatives.

Main Methods:

• Conducted an extensive literature review to identify 851 introduced marine species globally.
• Applied four transparent selection criteria: ship-mediated invasion history, existing vector, documented harm, and exotic or under official control in Australia.
• Screened the initial list against these criteria to develop a "next pest" list for Australia.

Main Results:

• Thirty-three introduced marine species met all four selection criteria.
• These 33 species represent high-priority potential marine pests for Australia.
• Detailed information on the vectors and impacts associated with these species is provided.

Conclusions:

• The developed hazard assessment technique effectively identifies potential marine pests.
• The identified 33 species warrant focused biosecurity attention and management strategies for Australia.
• This methodology supports proactive biosecurity planning and resource allocation to mitigate the impacts of marine invasions.