Journal article
Global marine biosecurity and ship lay-ups: intensifying effects of trade disruptions
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center1
Tel Aviv University2
Cawthron Institute3
National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark4
Section for Coastal Ecology, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark5
Section for Oceans and Arctic, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark6
University of Maryland, Baltimore7
Williams College8
Recent global trade disruptions, due to blockage of the Suez Canal and cascading effects of COVID-19, have altered the movement patterns of commercial ships and may increase worldwide invasions of marine non-indigenous species. Organisms settle on the hulls and underwater surfaces of vessels and can accumulate rapidly, especially when vessels remain stationary during lay-ups and delays.
Once present, organisms can persist on vessels for long-periods (months to years), with the potential to release propagules and seed invasions as ships visit ports across the global transportation network. Shipborne propagules also may be released in increasing numbers during extended vessel residence times at port or anchor.
Thus, the large scale of shipping disruptions, impacting thousands of vessels and geographic locations and still on-going for over two years, may elevate invasion rates in coastal ecosystems in the absence of policy and management efforts to prevent this outcome. Concerted international and national biosecurity actions, mobilizing existing frameworks and tools with due diligence, are urgently needed to address a critical gap and abate the associated invasion risks.
Language: | English |
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Publisher: | Springer International Publishing |
Year: | 2022 |
Pages: | 3441-3446 |
ISSN: | 15731464 and 13873547 |
Types: | Journal article |
DOI: | 10.1007/s10530-022-02870-y |
ORCIDs: | Ojaveer, Henn and 0000-0003-2499-441X |
Biofouling Biosecurity COVID-19 SDG 14 - Life Below Water Shipping Suez canal Trade disruptions