IOC/WESTPAC-PICES Joint Workshop on Rapid Assessment Survey Methodologies for Detecting Marine Non-Indigenous Species, Phuket, Thailand, 19–21 July 2011
In recent years, the introduction of non-indigenous species into the coastal waters in many countries poses serious environmental and economic threats. There are many examples of disastrous invasions by such species that resulted in the loss of native species, changes in community structure and function, and damages to the fisheries and aquaculture.
Initial efforts have been made by IOC/WESTPAC since 2008, through his project entitled “Coastal Marine Biodiversity and Conservation”, to establish research networks, identify the regional status and raise the public awareness of marine non-indigenous species. Although IOC/WESTPAC has published the Current Status on Marine Non-indigenous Species in the Western Pacific based on the preliminary study of Member States, it is evident that not many marine non-indigenous species have been scientifically identified in the Western Pacific region, particular in the Southeast Asia region mainly due to the lack of efficient identification methods.
Meanwhile, the North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES) has been studying non-indigenous marine species in the North Pacific since 2006 with two major initiatives to develop international systems to collect, exchange and store relevant data, and to foster partnerships with non-PICES countries and International organizations due to a contribution for a project entitled “Development of the prevention system for harmful organisms’ expansion in the Pacific Rim” by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan. The first is the development of a comprehensive database for non-indigenous species and the second is a taxonomy initiative that includes rapid assessment surveys and collector surveys in PICES Member States. Therefore, in order to help scientists in both regions to better understand their respective ecosystems and stimulate cooperation to improve scientific knowledge on this important topic, both organizations decided to hold this joint workshop with objectives to:
(i) provide a contextual perspective on why monitoring for non-indigenous species is important;
(ii) educate participants in Rapid Assessment Survey (RAS) methodologies and demonstrate their application; and
(iii) provide participants of an overview of the PICES WG-21 database and show how all can benefit from the application.
For detailed information and the application form, please download the IOC Circular letter No. 2381.