Introduced Marine Pests

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Australian Government funding

Now in its second phase (2002-2003 to 2006-2007), the Natural Heritage Trust is funding a range of projects designed to improve Introduced Marine Pest (IMP) prevention, control and management as part of the implementation of the National System for Preventing and Managing Introduced Marine Pests.

Project funding is focusing on five key elements:

1. Development of frameworks for the establishment of Standards, Best Practice and Codes of Practice to minimise the risks of entry and spread of marine pests in Australia;
2. Improvement of the capacity of industries, individuals and agencies with a potential role in marine pests to participate;
3. Development of tools and the data and information infrastructure to support the National System;
4. Economic and Social assessment and analysis of the impact of potential marine pest incursions; and
5. Development and implementation of Control Plans for priority marine pests in Australia.

Some of the projects funded to date include:

• Antifouling performance standards for the Maritime industry: Development of a framework for assessment, approval and relevance of effective products
  Biofouling of vessels, marine equipment, and structures is recognised as an important vector for introduced marine pests. This report develops antifouling performance standards and proposes a four component framework for ensuring that vessels moving between coastal water zones have applied and maintained effective antifouling prevention systems on their underwater hulls.
• Feasibility study for genetic control of Caulerpa in SA and NSW
  Caulerpa taxifolia is an invasive marine alga that forms extensive meadows, dominating shallow coastal habitats, displacing native species and causing dramatic declines in local biodiversity. This project was a pilot study to assess the feasibility of using genetic techniques to develop and deliver a species-specific, small molecule toxin into invasive Caulerpa taxifolia colonies. The feasibly of this approach, as well as the time and resources required to make it operational in the field have been determined
• Genetic Markers for Determining New Zealand Screwshell Distribution
  The New Zealand Screwshell has adapted well to Australian coastal conditions. This species forms dense populations that have potential to out-compete native species, as well as alter sediment structure. The aim of this project was to develop genetic tools to identify NZ Screwshell larvae in plankton and benthic samples. This technology is helping to provide information about the life history of this species and how it might be transported around Australia's coastline.
• Empirical Validation - Stage I: Small Vessel Translocation of Key Threatening Species - Asterias amurensis
  This project quantifies the coastal translocation of the Northern Pacific seastar, Asterias amurensis, by fishing and recreational vessels, as well as by aquaculture equipment from their main population centers in the southeast of Australia to other currently uninfected localities. This information is designed to assist in future control and management strategies for this pest species.
• Empirical Validation - Stage II: Small Vessel Translocation of Key Threatening Species - Asterias amurensis and Undaria pinnatifida
  As part of this project a gene probe for Undaria pinnatifida is being developed that can be applied to plankton and hull fouling samples to determine presence or absence. Although this stage of the project essentially focuses on Undaria pinnatifida, the work undertaken on Asterias amurensis in Stage I is being continued. This information will be used to quantify the translocation potential of various internal and external spaces and surfaces on fishing vessels, recreational vessels and aquaculture equipment. This information will then be used to inform an Infection Modes and Effects Analysis which can then be applied to the development of bio-invasion and risk assessment strategies.
• Evaluation of National Control Plan Management Options for the Northern Pacific Seastar (PDF - 8.52 MB) 
  This project aims to develop a software model that can be used to determine optimal control and management strategies for this introduced species. The project is expected to deliver a report detailing estimated costs and benefits of management and control options for the NPS.
• National Priority Pests — Part II: Ranking of Australian Marine Pests
  The primary objective of this project was to provide a list of marine species in Australia, other than native species, whose members do or may threaten biodiversity within Australian waters. The project report also includes those species that are deemed likely to threaten biodiversity in the future. A priority list will then be generated of species that may become the subject of national control plans.
• Research activities under the National System - Bureau of Rural Sciences
  There are two activities within this project. The first consists of outlining issues about the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) gene probes in ballast water sampling and port monitoring, including problems caused by false positive and false negative results and the limits for detection. The second involves creating a software model that will enable the estimation of costs to the shipping industry of alternative sets of requirements for exchanging ships' ballast water on routes between Australian ports.
• Port Survey Data Integration into Australian Museums
  Invertebrate samples gathered during port surveys will be assessed and distributed to State museums for integration into their established collection and will clearly identify that the specimens were collected during a port survey. This information will be uploaded onto OZCAM (Online Zoological Collections of Australian Museums) which is a dynamic database developed by Australian museums. Incorporation of the port survey samples into Australian museums will ensure that their long-term care is guaranteed and that they are accessible for ongoing taxonomic work via a single online biodiversity database for national faunal collections. The OZCAM database can be accessed at http://www.ozcam.gov.au
• Development of gene probes for introduced marine pest species
  The purpose of this project is to develop specific DNA primers and real-time polymerase chain reaction format (PCR format) gene probes for the species Musculista senhousia, Corbula gibba and Sabella spallanzanii that are capable of detecting larvae in ballast water.
• Studies of the impact and dispersal of the introduced New Zealand Screwshell (Maoricolpus Roseus) to facilitate the development of a management strategy
  Objectives of this project include identifying characteristics of preferred habitat of M. roseus in inshore environments of the D'Entrecasteaux Channel; characterising feeding strategies of M. roseus and relating feeding behaviours to habitat and movement; quantifying the impact of accumulations of live M. roseus and empty M. roseus shells occupied by hermit crabs (Paguristes tuberculatus) on the community structure of soft sediment environments; quantifying the effect of screwshell aggregations on the population dynamics of the commercial scallop; and determining the timing of reproduction patterns of larval development and identifying morphogenic cues that trigger settlement and metamorphosis.
• Development of real-time polymerase chain reaction detection methods for toxic Alexandrium dinoflagellate species
  This project will develop genetic methods for detecting the presence of toxic Alexandrium dinoflagellate species in ballast water and the marine environment. Toxic dinoflagellate species can cause severe human health problems through paralytic shellfish poisoning and lead to the closure of aquaculture enterprises and recreational harvesting of shellfish.

First phase of Natural Heritage Trust projects:

• Controlling the Northern Pacific Seastar (Asterias amurensis) in Australia
• Eradicating and preventing the spread of the invasive alga Caulerpa taxifolia in NSW
• Minimising Impacts of the North Pacific Seastar in Australia
• The Australian pilot project for the treatment of ships' ballast water - 2004

For more information read about past projects funded under the Introduced Marine Pests and Ballast Water Management Programs  during the first phase (1996-1997 to 2001-2002) of the Natural Heritage Trust.