Science and Technology Production
Congress
Authorship
Keith, Inti
;
SCHWINDT, EVANGELINA
Date
2025
Publishing House and Editing Place
SSMB
Summary
Information provided by the agent in
SIGEVA
Marine biological invasions are an escalating threat to biodiversity, fisheries, andhuman well-being worldwide. While terrestrial invasions have received more globalattention, marine invasive species—introduced through ballast water, hull fouling,aquaculture, and floating plastic—are increasingly affecting even the most remote andprotected ocean regions. Biodiversity hotspots such as the Galápagos Islands andother Marine Protected Areas are especially vulnerable, as invasive ...
Marine biological invasions are an escalating threat to biodiversity, fisheries, andhuman well-being worldwide. While terrestrial invasions have received more globalattention, marine invasive species—introduced through ballast water, hull fouling,aquaculture, and floating plastic—are increasingly affecting even the most remote andprotected ocean regions. Biodiversity hotspots such as the Galápagos Islands andother Marine Protected Areas are especially vulnerable, as invasive species disruptfood webs, degrade coral reef resilience, and threaten local economies. In response tothis growing crisis, scientists from multiple countries and institutions have formed theCoastal Ocean Marine Biosecurity International Network of the Americas (COMBINA).COMBINA will create a collaborative, international framework for early detection,standardized monitoring, information sharing, and coordinated response to marineinvasions. By building on existing biosecurity efforts and partnerships, the network willscale successful local strategies regionally through shared protocols, trainingprograms, and citizen science initiatives. Using the Galápagos as a model of effectivebiosecurity governance, COMBINA aims to integrate science, policy, and publicengagement to prevent the spread and reduce the impacts of invasive species. Thisinitiative directly responds to international calls for marine biosecurity and represents acritical step toward safeguarding coastal ecosystems and sustainable livelihoodsthroughout the Americas.
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Key Words
MARINE BIOSECURITY