| HOME | Species Search | Species Summary | Vector Information |
This class encompasses vectors associated with agricultural activities and trade. An example from this class is the vector Agricultural weeds, an example of which is the rice grass species, Spartina anglica. Other vectors that could be included in this class include: Aquatic plant shipments, Natural dispersal, Pet release, Scientific escape
Agricultural weed Many plant species have been introduced into new locations for agricultural purposes such as animal fodder, human consumption or the stabilisation of sediments, and have subsequently become nuisance species (“weeds”) in their new environments and have spread, with devastating impacts on native species and/or the natural environment. For example, the rice grass, Spartina anglica, was deliberately introduced into Australia in the 1930'sfor it's value to coastal engineering and agriculture. Spartina was promoted as a plant that would allow you to 'reclaim' the intertidal mudflats and then use that area for either development or for grazing stock on.
Aquatic plant shipments The accidental or deliberate release of aquatic plants (and associated organisms) from aquatic plant shipments. Many species of aquatic plants (both marine and freshwater), including known pest species, can be bought over the Internet (eg. the marine alga Caulerpa spp.), and can also potentially be imported into a country or within a country avoiding quarantine restrictions.
Natural dispersal Natural dispersal is a mechanism for the range expansion of a species through the movement of larvae or adults to a new location, and the successful settlement of recruits in this new location. Characteristics of a species that may be translocated via this vector include having a planktonic dispersal phase; and readily fouling floating objects.
Pet release The accidental and deliberate release of domestic animals kept as pets by individuals. This often involves releasing non-indigenous species directly into natural waterways or indirectly via drainage and sewer systems.
Scientific escape The accidental introduction of species during research activities conducted by education, scientific and private institutions.
This class encompasses vectors associated with canals. These are artificially constructed waterways, for example the Suez Canal which has enabled many species introductions from the Red Sea into the Mediterranean Sea; or the Panama Canal which has enabled many Pacific ocean species to enter the Gulf of Mexico. This class does not include naturally occurring canals and waterways. The only vector associated with this class is: Canal
Canals Artificially constructed waterways have provided a new pathway for aquatic species dispersal, either through natural dispersal (larvae in the plankton, active migration by adults) or associated with shipping or fisheries activities. This vector was identified as important in the translocation of several species from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, via the Suez Canal.
This class encompasses vectors associated with fisheries and aquaculture activities and trade. An example of a vector from this class is Fisheries intentional, which would incorporate, for example, the introduction of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas for aquaculture purposes. Other vectors included in this class are: Discarded bait, Fisheries accidental (not oyster), Oyster accidental, Oyster intentional, Packing material, Scientific escape
Oyster accidental The introduction of organisms associated with oysters and their deliberate translocation. Oysters are a highly valued aquaculture species and have been translocated across the globe for farming. Many species live cryptically on oyster shells and have subsequently been introduced along with oysters into new localities. This was more common historically when shells were not cleaned of other species.
Oyster intentional This vector describes the deliberate introduction of oysters. Oysters are a highly valued aquaculture species and have been translocated to many locations around the world to establish aquaculture industries and also to restock areas where native oysters have been lost through either disease or overfishing.
Fisheries intentional (not oyster) The deliberate translocation of fish, crustaceans or molluscs (not oysters) to establish or support a new fishery. For example many aquaculture operations use species that are not native, which involves introducing species from elsewhere in the world.
Fisheries accidental (not oyster) The accidental translocation of species through aquaculture and fisheries activities. This vector includes the accidental release of live fish, crustaceans and molluscs (other than oysters) imported for human consumption, as well as the accidental translocation of species attached to aquaculture gear (floats, cages, etc).
Discarded bait The release of unused, unsuccessful or excess bait species (and associated organisms) from commercial fishing operations, sport and recreational fishing activities. It is possible that two species of prawn that are introduced into San Francisco Bay, were originally imported for sale as bait or human food. The dumping of organisms from vessels or release from shore may have led to the establishment in the wild.
Packing material The accidental release of species associated with seaweed (and other packing materials) for bait and fishery products. These packaging materials are often disposed of at sea by fishers, which can release organisms into the marine environment.
Scientific escape The accidental introduction of species during research activities conducted by education, scientific and private institutions.
Natural dispersal is a mechanism for the range expansion of a species through natural processes such as the movement of larvae or adults to a new location, for example, through passive movement in water currents; or active movement (migration) in response to changes in environmental conditions such as salinity changes or water flow dynamics. Natural dispersal also allows for the successful settlement of recruits in a new location. The only vector associated with this class is: Natural dispersal
Natural dispersal Natural dispersal is a mechanism for the range expansion of a species through the movement of larvae or adults to a new location, and the successful settlement of recruits in this new location. Characteristics of a species that may be translocated via this vector include having a planktonic dispersal phase; and readily fouling floating objects.
This class encompasses vectors associated with ornamental species in the aquarium trade or horticulture and landscaping industries. A vector from this class is Aquatic plant shipments. There are a large number of aquatic plants that have been introduced for decorative purposes in aquaria ponds (aquatic) or gardens (terrestrial) via these shipments. Other vectors that could be included in this class include: Garden escape, Pet release
Aquatic plant shipments The accidental or deliberate release of aquatic plants (and associated organisms) from aquatic plant shipments. Many species of aquatic plants (both marine and freshwater), including known pest species, can be bought over the Internet (eg. the marine alga Caulerpa spp.), and can also potentially be imported into a country or within a country avoiding quarantine restrictions.
Garden escape The accidental release or subsequent spread of plant species initially restricted to gardens.
Pet release The accidental and deliberate release of domestic animals kept as pets by individuals. This often involves releasing non-indigenous species directly into natural waterways or indirectly via drainage and sewer systems.
This class encompasses vectors associated with maritime transport and shipping activities. Shipping includes; commercial ships (eg. tankers, container ships, ferries, barges), domestic ships, fishing vessels, recreational vessels, passenger vessels, drilling platforms and research vessels. An example of a vector from this class is Ballast water, which has been found to transport up to 10,000 different species at any one time. Other vectors associated with this class include: Dry ballast, Fouling community
Ballast water The release of species in ballast water discharged from vessels. Various types and life stages of species can be transported in ballast water, including plankton, crustaceans, fish, larvae, eggs or cysts. Ballast water is used in commercial vessels to stabilise the vessel and is uploaded or discharged depending on the amount of cargo onboard. Ballast water as a vector also includes sediments that accumulate in the bottom of ballast tanks. Species that are able to survive within these sediments include those that have a resistant stage or resting cyst (eg. dinoflagellates) as well as adult stages of benthic organisms.
Dry ballast The accidental release of species with solid ballast. Though solid ballast has predominantly been replaced by ballast water, it historically was used in vessels to stabilise the ship during transit. Dry ballast included rocks, sand, wood and other substrata collected from the foreshore and hence many intertidal species were also unintentionally included. When no longer required, this dry ballast was disposed of, usually overboard or onto the foreshore for subsequent use, releasing organisms to a new environment.
Fouling communities are typically composed of encrusting or sessile species, however they can include mobile species. This vector can introduce species through a variety of means. Three examples are: (1) The spawning of a fouling species on a vessel in port and its successful settlement and establishment of a reproductive population; (2) The dislodgement of fouling species from a vessel in port through abrasion with wharf structures, ropes, etc., or through in water vessel hull cleaning (banned in Australia) or through high vessel speeds, etc.; and (3) The sinking of fouled vessels either deliberately or accidentally can introduce new species to a location. There are a variety of vectors capable of having a fouling community. Characteristics of a fouling community found on wooden boat hulls include: having a wood boring habit; a benthic sessile or encrusting stage; and mobile adults or larval stages. Fouling communities found within sea chests, anchor wells etc. often are mobile crevice occupying species or known obligate associate of fouling species and can escape into new locations.
Vectors that are not known are classified Unknown.
| HOME | Species Search | Species Summary | Vector Information |