Breaking the ice: the introduction of biofouling organisms to Antarctica on vessel hulls

Abstract

ABSTRACT1. Few reports exist that describe marine non-native species in the Southern Ocean and near-shore waters around the Antarctic continent. Nevertheless, Antarctica's isolated marine communities, which show high levels of endemism, may be vulnerable to invasion by anthropogenically introduced species from outside Antarctica via vessel hull biofouling.2. Hull surveys of the British Antarctic Survey's RRS James Clark Ross were undertaken between 2007 and 2014 at Rothera Research Station on the Antarctic Peninsula (Lat. 67°34'S; Long. 68°07'W) to investigate levels of biofouling. In each case, following transit through scouring sea-ice, over 99% of the vessel hull was free of macroscopic fouling communities. However, in some surveys microbial/algal biofilms, balanomorph barnacles and live individuals of the cosmopolitan pelagic barnacle, Conchoderma auritum were found in the vicinity of intake ports, demonstrating the potential for non-native species to be transported to Antarctica on vessel hulls.3. Increasing ship traffic volumes and declining duration of sea ice in waters to the north and west of the Antarctic Peninsula mean the region may be at increased risk of non-native species introductions. Locations at particular risk may include the waters around popular visitor sites, such as Goudier Island, Neko Harbour, Whalers Bay, Cuverville Island and Half Moon Island, and around northern peninsula research stations.4. Simple and cost-effective mitigation measures, such as intentionally moving transiting ships briefly through available offshore sea ice to scour off accessible biofouling communities, may substantially reduce hull-borne propagule pressure to the region. Better quantification of the risk of marine non-native species introductions posed by vessel hulls to both Arctic and Antarctic environments, as sea ice patterns and shipping traffic volumes change, will inform the development of appropriate regional and international management responses.

Survival of ship biofouling assemblages during and after voyages to the Canadian Arctic

“…Live specimens of A. improvisus were previously found on international commercial ships arriving at Churchill (Chan et al 2015b). Our finding adds to growing evidence documenting that temperate biofouling taxa, including NIS, are capable of surviving transits in polar waters (Lewis et al 2004, 2006; Lee and Chown 2007, 2009; Chan et al 2015b; Hughes and Ashton 2016). For example, Lewis et al (2004) found 72% of original biofouling assemblage, including invasive taxa, survived a voyage from Western Australia to Heard Island (sub-Antarctic) and then back to Australia (Tasmania).…”

“…For example, Lewis et al (2004) found 72% of original biofouling assemblage, including invasive taxa, survived a voyage from Western Australia to Heard Island (sub-Antarctic) and then back to Australia (Tasmania). More recently, Hughes and Ashton (2016) reported viable individuals of gooseneck ( Conchoderma auritum ) and balanomorph cirripedes on a research ship that travelled from the UK to the Antarctic Peninsula. In contrast, the likelihood of transferring NIS on ship hulls from Arctic to temperate ports seems low.…”

“…To date there has been only one post-voyage in situ assessment of biofouling on commercial ships conducted in the Canadian Arctic, the results of which represent a snapshot of biofouling at one site (Chan et al 2015b). In contrast, ship biofouling has received far more attention in the Antarctic, where survivorship of biofouling organisms during voyages from temperate to Antarctic and sub-Antarctic ports has been characterized (Lewis et al 2004; Lee and Chown 2009; Hughes and Ashton 2016). In general, passage through sea ice effectively removed biofouling assemblages attached to the hull of ships travelling to Antarctic ports (Lewis et al 2004; Lee and Chown 2009), but organisms in niche areas such as intake ports and sea chests were protected from ice and had higher survival during transits (Hughes and Ashton 2016).…”

“…In contrast, ship biofouling has received far more attention in the Antarctic, where survivorship of biofouling organisms during voyages from temperate to Antarctic and sub-Antarctic ports has been characterized (Lewis et al 2004; Lee and Chown 2009; Hughes and Ashton 2016). In general, passage through sea ice effectively removed biofouling assemblages attached to the hull of ships travelling to Antarctic ports (Lewis et al 2004; Lee and Chown 2009), but organisms in niche areas such as intake ports and sea chests were protected from ice and had higher survival during transits (Hughes and Ashton 2016). Furthermore, a large proportion of the initial biofouling assemblages typically remained on ships’ hulls following ice-free voyages to sub-Antarctic ports (Lewis et al 2004; Lee and Chown 2009).…”

“…Furthermore, a large proportion of the initial biofouling assemblages typically remained on ships’ hulls following ice-free voyages to sub-Antarctic ports (Lewis et al 2004; Lee and Chown 2009). These results have raised concerns about the potential for transferring temperate marine species to polar regions via ship biofouling (Lewis et al 2004; Lee and Chown 2009; Hughes and Ashton 2016). …”