Shipping disruptions may fuel spread of harmful alien species
Stefan Huebner and Anthony Medrano For The Straits Times
An indirect consequence of the disruption to global maritime trade from the coronavirus pandemic is the potential rise of non-indigenous species and their spread. These days, vessels are anchored for unusually long periods.
Idle and waiting, vessels see the emergence of biofouling, resulting in the growth of ecosystems that can include a mix of alien and native species of microorganisms, algae, mollusks, worms, mussels, crustaceans, fish and others.
When global shipping traffic eventually starts to move again, it may become a vector for the spread of alien organisms.