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Prioritizing marine invasive alien species in the European Union through horizon scanning
Author(s) -
Tsiamis Konstantinos,
Azzurro Ernesto,
Bariche Michel,
Çinar Melih E.,
Crocetta Fabio,
De Clerck Olivier,
Galil Bella,
Gómez Fernando,
Hoffman Razy,
Jensen Kathe R.,
Kamburska Lyudmila,
Langeneck Joachim,
Langer Martin R.,
LevittBarmats Ya'arit,
Lezzi Marco,
Marchini Agnese,
OcchipintiAmbrogi Anna,
Ojaveer Henn,
Piraino Stefano,
Shenkar Noa,
Yankova Maria,
Zenetos Argyro,
Žuljević Ante,
Cardoso Ana Cristina
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
aquatic conservation: marine and freshwater ecosystems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.95
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1099-0755
pISSN - 1052-7613
DOI - 10.1002/aqc.3267
Subject(s) - european union , alien species , invasive species , marine species , geography , alien , fishery , introduced species , marine protected area , ecology , biology , environmental planning , environmental resource management , business , international trade , political science , environmental science , habitat , politics , citizenship , law
Abstract The disproportionately low presence of marine species in the list of invasive alien species (IAS) of Union concern of the European Union (EU) Regulation 1143/2014 does not fully acknowledge the threat they pose to the EU marine environment. In this study, the first EU‐scale Horizon Scanning (HS) focusing on marine alien species was performed, aiming to deliver a ranked list of species that should be of high priority for risk assessment (Article 5 of the EU IAS Regulation). Species absent from or with a limited distribution in EU marine waters were targeted. In total, 363 alien species were initially screened for HS by a panel of experts, including a broad range of taxonomic groups. Species were scored for their likelihood of arrival, establishment, spread, and impact in EU waters. A consensus workshop ranked 267 species, including a subset of 26 prioritized species. These species are considered to be mainly introduced by shipping (fouling and ballast water), via the Suez Canal, and aquaculture activities. The 26 priority species were also scrutinized in terms of feasibility of their management; 18 of them were suggested for performing risk assessments on the basis of the EU IAS Regulation. Since biological invasions are dynamic and connected with accelerated globalization and diversified human activities, we recommend HS to be repeated periodically to review the species already listed and assess new ones.