Prevention of introduction of species brought into Geraldton Harbour, Western Australia, by the dredge Leonardo da Vinci

Currently, 279 barnacle species are recognized in Australia waters. The barnacle fauna of tropical Australia exhibits high species diversity (221), with a high incidence of tropical species (87 Indo-west Pacific [IWP], 16 West Pacific and 65 Indo-Malayan), a low species endemicity (8), and 44 cosmopolitan and 1 Australasian species. Conversely, that of temperate Australia shows lower species diversity (129), with a lower incidence of tropical species (26 IWP, 10 West Pacific and 25 Indo-Malayan), higher species endemicity (23), 37 cosmopolitan, 6 Australasian species, and 3 Australasian/Antarctic species. Distributions corroborate the general patterns demonstrated by the shallow-water biota of northern tropical and southern temperate Australian biogeographic provinces. Tropical and temperate provinces grade into each other in a broad overlap zone along both the western and eastern Australian coasts. This overlap zone is essentially a transitional region, with the gradual replacement of a tropical barnacle fauna in the north by a predominantly temperate barnacle fauna in the south. Both western and eastern Australian coasts are bounded by major poleward-flowing warm currents that have considerable influence on the marine flora and fauna, distributing tropical species of many taxa much farther south than could be predicted by latitude. Currently, 16 barnacle species introduced into Australian waters are identified, although this number may increase in the future due to new port developments and increased shipping arrivals.

show abstract

Setting a New Benchmark in Managing Biofouling on Vessels in a Sensitive Marine Environment

Booth¹,

Wells

2012

International Conference on Health, Safety and Environment in Oil and Gas Exploration and Production

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The water surrounding Barrow Island (BWI), Western Australia is an internationally significant marine protected area for coral and turtle conservation. A key commitment of the Gorgon Project is that no marine pests be introduced to island waters. A comprehensive quarantine strategy has been developed to prevent the introduction of marine pests, monitor for any that have penetrated the quarantine barriers, and respond to any introductions of such pests. All vessels mobilising to Barrow Island must be free of secondary biofouling (barnacles, bryozoans, hydroids and worms) at the time of mobilisation. In meeting this criterion, all vessels undergo an initial risk assessment to determine the risk of being infected with marine pests and measures are taken to remediate or mitigate such risks. A preference exists to drydock vessels. In-water inspections and cleaning are also undertaken for vessels that remained in high risk areas following drydocking. The key question "How long can vessels remain in-water and still be considered to be free of secondary biofouling?" is ecologically and economically significant. To address this, the results of 32 vessel inspections were analysed, including vessels commencing, ongoing and departing from Gorgon service. A range of vessels were considered: offshore support vessels, landing craft tankers, dredges, barges, utility vessels and crew transport vessels. The results have significant implications for all vessel owners that work in sensitive marine areas. It is also an important indication that the current risk assessment methods underestimate the risks vessels present to marine ecosystems, more so when vessels operate in marine protected areas. To date, quarantine measures to prevent the introduction of marine pests to Barrow Island from overseas have been effective.

show abstract

Prevention of introduction of species brought into Geraldton Harbour, Western Australia, by the dredge Leonardo da Vinci

Cited by 3 publications

References 13 publications

If the Asian green mussel,Perna viridis(Linnaeus, 1758), poses the greatest invasive marine species threat to Australia, why has it not invaded?

If the Asian green mussel,Perna viridis(Linnaeus, 1758), poses the greatest invasive marine species threat to Australia, why has it not invaded?

Australian Barnacles (Cirripedia: Thoracica), Distributions and Biogeographical Affinities

Setting a New Benchmark in Managing Biofouling on Vessels in a Sensitive Marine Environment

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About