Saldanha Bay harbour is an important global shipping route along the coast of South Africa. The Mediterranean mussel is an invasive species that has spread along the south and west coasts displacing native species, damaging infrastructures like pipes, aquaculture equipment and jetties. This invasive species like many others have attached entered waterways due to ballast water or from attaching themselves to the hulls of vessels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scientists had recently identified 95 marine alien species known\nas fouling agents. Fouling organisms such as algae, barnacles and mussels are\nsedentary. Included are burrow-dwelling worms and isopods and amphipods that\ncling to surfaces. Starfish and crabs are also included as fouling organisms.\nFouling is a threat to biodiversity as it can be costly to clean infrastructure\nand hulls, which would also increase fuel demand for ships and lower productivity\nfor the aquaculture industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To properly evaluate biosecurity protocols for policymakers, a\nmonitoring method was developed to monitor and control bioinvasions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The study was conducted with a combined effort of governments, academics,\nand harbour managers to track alien species before they become established.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The method was developed and tested at the Robinson Lab at\nStellenbosch University, to monitor alien fouling species at yacht clubs and\nports along the South African coast. Small PVC (plastic) panels, about the size\nof a medium-sized envelope, to buoys close to the harbour and to harbour piers.\nIt is a low-cost method that was left for two months to see what organisms\nwould attach themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two months is the minimum time necessary to detect and identify\ninvasive species at the harbours in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, and\nSaldanha Bay. 66% of the 21 species detected during the trial were\ninvasive. The results concluded that\nlong-term standardized surveillance is important and must be established.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aquaculture companies, shipping companies as well as managers of\nmarinas, ports and yacht clubs could benefit from this monitoring approach as\nit would decrease future invasions and losses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n