Introduced Species

Introduced marine species and their associated impacts are being increasingly observed in marine environments throughout the globe (Ruiz et al., 1997; Cohen & Carlton, 1998; Ruiz et al., 1999; Ruiz et al., 2000; Hewitt, 2002, 2003; Hewitt et al., 2004). As a consequence, environmental assessors are beginning to place higher emphasis on the risk that developments pose of introducing species. Development proponents are being required to implement more stringent management measures to prevent species introduction, including surveys and monitoring of receiving environments, inspections of vessel hulls and strategies for managing marine pest incursions. Development and implementation of such management measures requires a detailed understanding of the science of introduced marine species.

Enviro Marine are specialists in the science and management of introduced marine species and pests. We are able to assist clients with:

  1. baseline introduced marine species surveys;
  2. ongoing monitoring for introduced species;
  3. hull inspections for the presence of marine pests; and
  4. management and incursion response measures.

Please contact us for more information on our introduced marine species expertise.

Cohen, A.N. and Carlton, J.T. (1998) Accelerating invasion rate in a highly invaded estuary. Science 279: 555-558.
Hewitt, C.L. (2002) Distribution and biodiversity of Australian tropical marine bioinvasions. Pacific Science 56: 213-222.
Hewitt, C.L. (2003) Marine biosecurity issues in the world oceans: global activities and Australian directions. Ocean Yearbook 17: 193-212.
Hewitt, C.L., Campbell, M.L., Thresher, R.E., Martin, R.B., Boyd, S., Cohen, B.F., Currie, D.R., Gomon, M.F., Keogh, M.J., Lewis, J.A., Lockett, M.M., Mays, N., McArthur, M.A., O’Hara, T.D., Poore, G.C.B., Ross, D.J., Storey, M.J., Watson, J.E. and Wilson, R.S. (2004) Introduced and cryptogenic species in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia. Marine Biology 144: 183-202.
Ruiz, G.M., Carlton, J.T., Grosholz, E.D. and Hines, A.H. (1997) Global invasions of marine and estuarine habitats by non-indigenous species – mechanisms, extent, and consequences. American Zoologist 37: 621-632.
Ruiz, G.M., Fofonoff, P., Hines, A.H. and Grosholz, E.D. (1999) Non-indigenous species as stressors in estuarine and marine communities: Assessing invasion impacts and interactions. Limnology & Oceanography 44: 950-972.
Ruiz, G.M., Fofonoff, P.W., Carlton, J.T., Wonham, M.J. and Hines, A.H. (2000) Invasion of coastal marine communities in North America: Apparent patterns, processes, and biases. Annual Review of Ecology & Systematics 31: 481-531.