Invasive species in the Northeastern and Southwestern Atlantic Ocean: A review

Abstract

The spread of non-native species has been a subject of increasing concern since the 1980s when human-mediated transportation, mainly related to ships' ballast water, was recognized as a major vector for species transportation and spread, although records of non-native species go back as far as 16th Century. Ever increasing world trade and the resulting rise in shipping have highlighted the issue, demanding a response from the international community to the threat of non-native marine species. In the present study, we searched for available literature and databases on shipping and invasive species in the North-eastern (NE) and South-western (SW) Atlantic Ocean and assess the risk represented by the shipping trade between these two regions. There are reports of 44 species associated with high impacts for the NE Atlantic and 15 for the SW Atlantic, although this may be an underestimate. Vectors most cited are ballast water and biofouling for both regions while aquaculture has also been a very significant pathway of introduction and spread of invasive species in the NE Atlantic. Although the two regions have significant shipping traffic, no exchange of invasive species could be directly associated to the shipping between the two regions. However, it seems prudent to bring the exchange of ballast water between the two regions under control as soon as possible.

Mesophotic ecosystems: Distribution, impacts and conservation in the South Atlantic

“…), which may alter the mesophotic community structure at the expense of native biodiversity (Baker et al., ). Brazilian and African coasts have experienced significant transoceanic ship traffic since the 16th century, but the consequences of this maritime transport on bio‐invasions have only recently received academic and governmental attention (Castro, Fileman, & Hall‐Spencer, ). Indeed, recent studies have reported the presence of invasive species in the South Atlantic MEs (Supporting Information Appendix ), for example, ophiuroids ( Ophiothela mirabilis ) on the Amazon shelf (Moura et al., ).…”

Human‐facilitated dispersal of the Gulf toadfish Opsanus beta (Goode & Bean, 1880) in the Guaratuba Bay, south‐eastern Brazil

“…In the aquatic environment, human activities facilitate the artificial dispersal of species in different ways, including through ballast water, and with the movements of oil rigs and plastic debris (Bax et al ., 2001; Castro et al ., 2016). Aquaculture and aquarium trade or aquariophily also accidentally disperse non‐native species (Castro et al ., 2016). The genus Opsanus is composed of five species naturally distributed in the Gulf of Mexico (Collette, 2002; Greenfield et al ., 2008).…”

“…The interactions between O. beta and the platforms probably facilitated the transoceanic transport of this species to the Brazilian coast. Another possible vector of dispersion would be the ballast water of ships, where juveniles of O. beta may have been transported to Brazilian port regions, as has occurred with other species (Castro et al ., 2016).…”

First record of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis (Bivalvia, Mytilidae) in Brazil

“…The introduction vector of M. galloprovincialis in Brazil is unknown, but Castro et al (2017) indicate that ballast water, biofouling and aquaculture are the most common vectors of species introduction and propagation in the Atlantic Ocean.…”