Marine Pests - Stage 2 - Education of the boating and recreational fishing communities (Water)
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The introduction and spread of marine pests is a key threat to the health and diversity of marine and estuarine ecosystems as well as shipping, boating, fishing and aquaculture industries. Marine pests can potentially have devastating effects on local biodiversity, key aquatic habitat (such as seagrasses, rocky reef communities and algal beds) and ecosystem balance. After habitat loss, pest incursions are considered to pose the greatest threat to Australia ?s biodiversity. In addition, commercial shipping, recreational boating, commercial and recreational fishing, and aquaculture industries can be seriously affected.

The Australian Government has instigated a National System for the Prevention and Management of Introduced Marine Pests.  One of the main aims of this National System is to effectively reduce the risk of introduction or translocation of marine pests.  A list of potential marine pests that could be transported in ballast water has been produced for Australia .  This national pest list has also been produced with limited or no data on habitats, temperatures, salinities, etc. for individual states, so it is not clear whether all of the listed species are likely to survive in NSW.  Moreover, there has been no state-based assessment of the most likely vectors for marine pests, so it is not clear how or to what extent marine pests could be transported around NSW.  Possible vectors include international shipping, commercial fishing, recreational boating and yachting, aquaculture, aquariums and natural water currents.

Images courtesy of NSW Department of Primary Industries

 

NEW!! Download a copy of the Marine Pest Risk Assessment titled: 
Assessing likelihoods of marine pest introductions in Sydney estuaries: A transport vector approach

Download a copy of the Marine Pests advisory booklet for boaters and recreational fishers

Download a copy of the booklet translated into Arabic, Chinese, Korean or Vietnamese


The Sydney Metropolitan CMA views marine pests as a key risk to our aquatic biodiversity so, in partnership with NSW Department of Primary Industries, has undertaken the following projects:


STAGE 1  -  Risk Assessment and Boat Owners Survey

For more information on Stage 1, click here

STAGE 2  -  Education of the boating and recreational fishing communities

Marine pest species are translocated by a variety of vectors. Small vessels have been identified as a high priority vector and therefore the boating and recreational fishing communities as a key target audience for education on marine pests.  Stage 2 of the project aims to reduce the risk of spreading marine pests by raising awareness amongst the boating and recreational fishing communities of their potential for spreading pests, simple actions they can take to prevent movement of pests and information to identify and report key pests. 

As part of Stage 2, educational flyers, posters and bumper stickers have been produced and distributed to fishing, boating and diving clubs around the Sydney Metropolitan CMA area.  A steering committee of partners (listed below) is being consulted in the adaptation of existing educational materials to suit Sydney .  Presentations to members of fishing, boating and diving clubs will complement these materials.  Training sessions to educate volunteers interacting with fishers and boaters have been undertaken for DPI Fishcare Volunteers and the Towra Green Team.

If you are interested in having a short presentation to your club or organisation about marine pests, and are located in the Sydney area, please contact Erin Dixon on 9895 7428 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Project details
 


Coordinators:  Sydney Metropolitan CMA

  

  

Partners:  DPI Fisheries (Aquatic Biosecurity), DPI Fisheries (Recreational Fishing), NSW Maritime, NSW Boating Industry Association (BIA), Coastcare, Boat Owners Association of NSW (BOA)


Funding Source:  NHT Funds and NRAC Forging Partnerships Grant

Status (July 2009):  The production of the educational materials is completed.  Nine presentations have been undertaken.  Training sessions have been held for the DPI Fishcare volunteers, the Towra Team, local council staff, and NSW Maritime Boating Safety Officers. 

 

For more information on marine pests visit the National System website