2023 Guidelines for the control and management of ships’ biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species
International Maritime Organization
Abstract
The introduction of harmful aquatic organisms to new environments by ships has been identified as a major threat to world oceans and to the conservation of biodiversity. Biofouling, described as the undesirable accumulation of microorganisms, plants, algae and animals on submerged structures (especially ships’ hulls), is considered one of the main vectors for bioinvasions. These Guidelines for the control and management of ships’ biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species are intended to provide a globally consistent approach to the management of biofouling.
Topics & Concepts
BiofoulingControl (management)Environmental scienceBusinessFisheryEnvironmental planningChemistryBiologyComputer scienceArtificial intelligenceBiochemistryMembraneMarine Ecology and Invasive SpeciesMarine Biology and Environmental ChemistryAquatic Invertebrate Ecology and Behavior