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CHECKING TROPICAL PORTS FOR FOREIGN PESTSCRC Reef researchers based at James Cook University, in conjunction with Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries have recently been commissioned by Cairns Port Authority to undertake a survey of the marine life of Cairns Port. According to CRC Reef researcher, Dr Kerry Neil, a thorough survey of marine life in Cairns Port is the best protection against invasion by introduced marine pests. "Foreign marine species can be accidentally brought into Australian ports on ships' hulls or in ballast water," she said. "Our survey will determine whether any introduced species are present in Cairns Port. It will also be a much-needed inventory of native marine life in the port." "We have already surveyed other tropical ports, including Weipa, Karumba, Lucinda and Townsville, for introduced species," said Dr Neil. "The recent discovery of the black-striped mussel in Darwin and its successful eradication is evidence that such surveys are a vital tool for port managers." The survey will take about 10 days in November. Eight researchers will use 12 different sampling techniques to take samples from the water and sea floor as well as from port piles, breakwaters and rocky reefs. Sorting and analysing samples will take a further twelve months before the researchers give a written report of their findings to the Cairns Port Authority. "The survey will provide us with a good understanding of the marine biodiversity of the port and help us better manage the Port of Cairns," said Cairns Port Authority's, Ms Kim Kelleher. "It will also form part of Australia's Decision Support System, administered by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service which incorporates results from port surveys around the country." "The DSS helps estimate the risk that a particular vessel - either commercial or recreational - could be a carrier of foreign marine species. The more information that is incorporated from ports around Australia, the better the DSS will become as a risk assessment tool. " The announcement of the survey of the Port of Cairns coincides with the
release of a new CRC Reef report that details methods used to survey tropical
ports for introduced pests. The report was written by Frank Hoedt, Howard
Choat, Juan Cruz and John Collins and is entitled 'Sample collection methods
and practical considerations for introduced species' surveys at tropical
ports.' For more information call: |
