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Marine pests are introduced invasive, non-native plants and animals that cause damage to the health of the native marine environment. They often reproduce quickly, in large numbers and can spread rapidly.
Once established, they are difficult to eradicate and can kill or out-compete native plants and animals for space and food. They can damage boat hulls, increase drag and fuel costs, and foul marine structures leading to increased maintenance costs. They can also impact widely on marine industries including ports and marinas, the commercial and recreational fishing industry and can lead to boating and fishing restrictions in affected areas.
Queensland is currently free from invasive marine pests and keeping Queensland’s marine environment pest-free is a priority for Biosecurity Queensland. Protecting Queensland’s marine ecosystems from pests should also be a priority for anyone who uses or enjoys the marine environment.
The most effective way to minimise the impact of marine pests is to prevent them from arriving. Early detection and response is the best chance we have to successfully contain and manage marine pests and protect our marine environment, key marine industries including, ports, marinas, commercial fisheries, tourism and aquaculture and our way of life.
Marine biosecurity—everyone plays a part
Biosecurity is a shared responsibility which is why Biosecurity Queensland is asking users of Queensland’s marine environment to keep an eye out and report suspected marine pests.
This will help protect Queensland’s marine biodiversity and minimise the risk of pests establishing in Queensland’s marine environment.
Seven invasive pest species with the highest chance of arriving and establishing in Queensland waters have been identified:
Don’t introduce or spread pests. Marine pests can unknowingly be attached to your boat or in a ship’s ballast and be transported long distances. Surveillance and good maintenance will help minimise the threat.
Clean your boat regularly, preferably in a dry dock or slipway, and when moving between locations.
Look out for pests, paying attention to high-risk areas (see diagram under ‘Every Queenslander plays their part’).
Flush internal seawater systems regularly with freshwater or use an approved treatment.
Dispose of waste responsibly
Remove marine fouling growing on the boat and treat it as a potential biosecurity risk.
Safely dispose of marine fouling in an onshore rubbish bin.
Seafood and bait from non-local areas should be disposed of in an onshore rubbish bin.
Inspect and clean equipment and gear
Before moving to a different location, inspect, clean and dry marine equipment and gear including pots, nets, fishing or diving gear, anchors and ropes.
If possible, dry your equipment for at least 48 hours before using it in a different area.
Apply antifouling paint to your boat
Apply antifouling paint correctly and as required by the manufacturer.
Keep a record in a log book of all work done to your boat.
Every Queenslander plays their part keeping boats free of marine pests
All it takes is one boat to introduce or spread a marine pest.
Clean your boat regularly looking out for marine pests on structures and surrounds. Pay attention to high-risk areas such as:
deck fittings
bow thrusters
bilge tanks and sewage
cooling pipes
keel
sewage tanks
rudder
sonar tubes, echosounder booths and transducers
propeller and shaft
trailer
water outlet
live wells and bait box
anchor and anchor well.
In-water cleaning
Cleaning of boats in the water should only be undertaken when cleaning of the vessel out of the water is not operationally practicable; and only when removal of biofouling:
does not harm the anti-fouling coating
presents an acceptable biosecurity or contaminant risk as determined by the authorities.
In Queensland, the relevant authorities are Biosecurity Queensland and the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation.
Everyone has a part to play to protect Queensland’s marine environment from introduced marine pests.
There are things that can be done to reduce the establishment of marine pests in Queensland.
by keeping an eye out when you’re out in the water and by cleaning our boats regularly.
Marine pests like to attach to marine structures and boat hulls.
So when you’re cleaning your boat pay particular attention to the nooks that marine pests might like to hitch a ride in.
And if you see anything suspicious please, REPORT it to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23
And remember:
LOOK
REPORT
PROTECT
Duration 2:02|Closed captions icon
Female:
Keeping Queensland’s marine environment healthy and pest free is vital to our way of life and to our marine industries including commercial fishing, ports and marinas and tourism.
Everyone has a part to play to help protect Queensland’s marine environment from introduced marine pests.
They can kill or outcompete native plants and animals for space and food and can be destructive to marine structures and boats.
Male:
Marine pests might not look like much but these guys can be invasive and fast growing, they can be transported across the ocean on hulls of vessels and in ballast water, once they arrive they can attach to the hulls of local boats and marine structures.
The good news is we can help prevent the spread of marine pests simply by cleaning our boats regularly and paying close attention to all the nooks and crannies in which they like to hide.
It’s important to clean and inspect below the water line of your boat, especially, the propeller and shaft, the rudder, the anchor and anchor well, all water inlets and outlets and any other through-hole fittings bow thrusters, anodes, deck fittings and any other nooks and crannies they might get into, and don’t forget, any other related items including boat trailers and burley buckets.
It’s a good idea to keep your marine pest ID guide handy, to get a copy of this guide contact Biosecurity Queensland or visit the DAF website.
Female:
If you see a suspected marine pest, report it to Biosecurity Queensland as soon as you can, take a photo, and if possible keep a sample for identification if it is safe to do so.
And of course if you remove a suspected marine pest, don’t throw it back into the water.
Look around and keep an eye out for suspected marine pests and if you see anything suspicious, please report it as soon as you can to Biosecurity Queensland. Do your bit to help protect Queensland waters, marine industries and our way of life.
Remember, look , report, protect.
Biosecurity basics video
Duration 4:09|Closed captions icon
Since the early days of trade invasive pests and diseases have been hitching rides to foreign lands. They’ve arrived in many shapes and forms but one thing has remained consistent, their destruction of our natural environment and the businesses that rely upon it.
The Federal government is responsible for managing the risk of disease entering Australia through contaminated food products. However if the mechanisms at the border fail,the responsibility for detection falls upon the broader community. Professional fishers enter our marine ecosystem more frequently than any other group in our community. Their profession demands an intimate understanding of the natural environment and therefore they notice subtle changes others would miss.
Similarly, post-harvest workers scrutinise product across species and across fisheries, giving them a broad overview of what is occurring in the environment. The seafood industry’s awareness and reporting is crucial to early detection and response. If you see a suspected marine pest, or a sick or diseased marine animal, take a photo, collect a sample and refrigerate.
Report it by calling Biosecurity Queensland.
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The State government is responsible for disease preparedness through biosecurity planning and policy. They will test provided samples and initiate an investigation when necessary. The Federal government will step in if the incursion occurs in more than one state or territory.
Vigilance is paramount.
Asian green mussels were discovered on an illegal fishing vessel brought into Cairns harbour. Their spread was prevented by early detection and eradication. During a disease response, a zone will be defined to minimise the risk of people unknowingly spreading the incursion. If eradication is feasible, a program may commence to utterly destroy and remove all traces of the incursion. If eradication fails, the invasive organism will be contained to prevent or slow the spread.
Any effort to contain a biosecurity threat relies upon early detection. Success ultimately requires the involvement of the community, scientists, government and industry.
Through acknowledging this shared responsibility we are doing our best to protect our environment and the businesses that rely upon it.
