Temporal and Spatial Patterns in Recruitment and Succession of a Temperate Marine Fouling Assemblage: a Comparison of Static Panels and Boat Hulls during the Boating Season (original) (raw)

Integrated Pest Management for Fouling Organisms on Boat Hulls

North American Journal of Fisheries Management, 2019

Boating is a major vector for aquatic invasive species that cause significant economic and ecological impacts, necessitating biofouling control that goes beyond simply maintaining boat operations. However, new regulations restricting the use of antifouling paints, a common control tactic along with hull cleaning, have not considered the consequences to invasive species management. As a result, there is a critical need for a biofouling control strategy that both protects water quality and minimizes invasive species transport. We compared recruitment of fouling organisms to experimental plates: 1) treated with hull coatings after 1 month and, for copper-based paint, after 1, 3, 6, and 12 month submersion times, 2) after application of California's in-water hull cleaning practices, and 3) among locations within and between geographically separated harbors. Copper-based paint was initially effective at reducing fouling, but lost effectiveness over time and was fouled heavily within 12 months. On plates with copper-based paint, non-native species typically recruited first and facilitated the recruitment of other species. Nontoxic coatings were readily fouled and invasives, Watersipora subatra and Hydroides spp., settled more often on the epoxy and/or slick coatings. Recruitment was higher in the harbor in the warmer water region. Depending on the harbor, W. subatra, Ciona spp., and Filograna implexa recruitment was correlated with water flow and/or the presence of conspecifics on the docks. Strong seasonal recruitment was evident for Ciona spp., F. implexa and Bugula neritina. Algae dominated light-exposed surfaces and invertebrates dominated shaded surfaces of plates. California's hull cleaning practices did not stimulate fouling, which contradicted findings from elsewhere. Our findings informed the development of an integrated pest management framework for biofouling control on boat hulls adaptable to different regions and boater Accepted Article This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. needs. This novel approach balances effective boat operations and protection of ecosystem health while simultaneously addressing water quality and invasive species transport.

What Lies Beneath? An Evaluation of Rapid Assessment Tools for Management of Hull Fouling

Environmental Management, 2013

Despite an increased understanding of marine invasions, non-indigenous species (NIS) continue to be redistributed at both global and regional scales. Since prevention is an important element of NIS programs, monitoring vectors responsible for NIS introductions and spread, such as hull fouling, has become a priority and methods should be selected carefully to balance accuracy, time, and cost. Two common fouling assessment tools for the marine recreational boating vector were evaluated for accuracy using a traditional underwater SCUBA survey in coastal British Columbia: a dockside level of fouling assessment and a behavioral questionnaire model. Results showed that although rapid, dockside assessments did not provide an accurate assessment of fouling present below the surface, at least not in this region. In contrast, a questionnaire-based model using four easily obtained variables (boat type, age of antifouling paint, storage type, and occurrence of long distance trips) reliably identified boats carrying macrofouling species, a proxy for risk of NIS transport. Once validated, this fouling model tool could be applied in border inspection or quarantine situations where decisions must be made quickly. Further development and refinement of rapid assessment tools would improve our ability to prevent new introductions and manage spread of existing invasive species.

Risk assessment of hull fouling as a vector for marine non-natives in Scotland

Aquatic Invasions, 2006

To determine the importance of recreational boating as a vector for distributing marine organisms, including non-native species, the extent of hull fouling species on recreational yachts in Scotland was assessed. In August 2006, up to 100 yachts in each of the ten largest marinas in Scotland were ranked using a fouling index. 23 yacht owners were asked a questionnaire to determine the importance of general characteristics of the yacht and its travel history in relation to the level of hull fouling. 59 % of the yachts surveyed were found to have macrofouling attached to their hulls, suggesting that recreational boating has a high potential for distributing marine species throughout Scotland. Increased age of the antifouling paint, as well as long stationary periods and reduced sailing activity increase the risk of macrofouling species attaching to hulls. Recreational boating must be considered as a high risk vector for non-native species in Scotland.

Hull fouling on commercial ships as a vector of macroalgal introduction

Marine Biology, 2006

Hull fouling is thought to have been the vector of introduction for many algal species. We studied ships arriving at a Mediterranean harbour to clarify the present role of commercial cargo shipping in algal introductions. A total of 31 macroalgal taxa were identified from 22 sampled hulls. The majority of records (58%) were of species with a known cosmopolitan geographical distribution. Due to a prevalence of cosmopolitan species and a high turnover of fouling communities, species composition of assemblages did not appear to be influenced by the area of origin, length of ship or age of coating. In the light of the present results, hull fouling on standard trading commercial vessels does not seem to pose a significant risk for new macroalgal species introductions. However, a high proportion of non-cosmopolitan species found on a ship with non-toxic coating may modify this assessment, especially in the light of the increasing use of such coatings and the potential future changes in shipping routes. Communicated by A. Atkinson, Cambridge.

Ecological Index of Fouling Organisms in Different Media In Daruba Morotai Island District

Journal of Southwest Jiaotong University, 2021

On the port pole is very much found biota attached. The biota is barnacles (Balanus sp). The attachment does not only occur in natural substrates. It may also occur in different means of human interest, such as ships and docks. This research is devoted to macroscopic biofouling, whose attachment is massif on the dock pole. This study aims to determine the species and ecological index of biota fouling in different media in the Daruba Morotai Island Regency. The data retrieval method uses a quadratic with a scale of 20×100 cm2. This study used three media, namely wood media (speedboat wooden pier), iron media (speedboat floating pier), and concrete media (Imam Lastori's main pier). Ecological indices analyzed include abundance, Diversity Index, Uniformity Index, and Dominance Index. The analysis results found the most number of macrobiofouling species in the wood medium (7 species). The largest number of individuals found is Branchidontes sp. (661 individuals). The findings of the...

Management options for vessel hull fouling: an overview of risks posed by in-water cleaning

Ices Journal of Marine Science, 2008

Hull fouling has been identified as an important pathway for the spread of non-indigenous marine species. However, the management of associated biosecurity risks has proven challenging. Left unmanaged, a fouled vessel can pose a biosecurity risk through the detachment and dispersal of viable material, and through spawning by adult taxa upon arrival in a recipient port or region. These risks can be managed effectively through the removal of the vessel to land for defouling (e.g. dry-docking). However, alternative methods are needed for small (e.g. recreational) vessels, as well as for large vessels fouled outside their dry-docking schedule. Among the various treatment options, in-water cleaning is relatively common, although some countries have placed restrictions on this method because of perceived biosecurity risks. Here, we present a conceptual framework that identifies risks posed by in-water cleaning compared with alternatives, including no management. Decisions on the appropriate management option will be influenced by many factors, including the species present, the level of fouling, and the time a vessel spends in a recipient region. It is important that any regulatory changes regarding in-water defouling be supported by relevant research that quantifies the risks associated with the various management options.