National Marine Pest Surveillance Strategy

Activity 1.1

Develop an understanding of factors associated with incursion pathways (including vessels) that may affect the likelihood of introducing marine pests.

Status: Commenced

Summary:

• Since 2019, we have conducted annual sampling and analysis of ballast water from ships arriving into Australia. This assesses compliance with the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention performance standards.
• Our approach to BWM is under review. It assesses:
  • shipping movement patterns in Australian waters
  • levels of ballast water compliance.
• An iNaturalist model has been developed to identify species outside their expected range. The model includes crabs, mussels, ascidians, and barnacles.
• Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) is developing a model to assess the risk of marine pest introduction to New Zealand based on international and domestic vessel movements. Discussion is underway to adapt this model for application in Australia.

Activity 1.2

Relevant authorities to identify priority surveillance locations for marine pests based on outcome of 1.1.

Status: Complete

Summary:

• Priority surveillance locations have been identified across Australia. These include ports, marinas, defence sites, beaches and marine protected areas.
• Molecular surveillance is happening in priority ports to support domestic ballast water regulation.
• State and territory biosecurity agencies are running surveillance programs with port authorities at priority locations.
  • Since 2000, NT Fisheries has conducted surveillance for marine pests at high-risk sites in the Northern Territory.
  • Since 2008, WA Biosecurity has conducted marine pest surveillance at 11 major ports. Surveillance sites include HMAS Stirling and the Indian Ocean Territories. This work is done under the WA State-wide Array Surveillance Program (SWASP). WA is reviewing their surveillance activities.
  • Since 2019, Queensland Seaports eDNA Surveillance (Q-SEAS) Program has operated across 6 ports in Queensland.
  • Since 2021, The Victorian port surveillance program has operated across 4 commercial ports in Victoria.
  • NSW Biosecurity conducts biannual surveillance targeting 21 marine pest species across 6 New South Wales priority ports. This work is done under the NSW Marine Pest Surveillance Plan 2022-2026.
  • In Tasmania, TasPorts undertakes active surveillance at different ports on a five-year rotational basis. Passive surveillance is undertaken by the community and various personnel in ports, marinas, aquaculture and marine research.
• Stakeholder groups are engaged in marine pest surveillance activities. These groups include port authorities, divers, aquaculture, marina operators, Indigenous rangers, and researchers. Educational materials are shared with marina and slipway operators.

Please contact MPSC@aff.gov.au for more information on this activity.

Activity 1.3

Maintain an agreed list of priority pest species for surveillance.

Status: Complete

Summary:

Priority lists are used to support marine pest surveillance, preparedness, and response management.

• The Marine Pest Sectoral Committee (MPSC) reviews the Australian Priority Marine Pest List. The list is reviewed twice a year.
• The List of priority marine pest species for surveillance is available to identify marine pest species that may be targeted as part of surveillance.

Activity 2.1

Develop new and maintain existing surveillance tools and information for priority pest species for use in marine pest management.

Status: Commenced

Summary:

We are developing guidance resources on marine pest surveillance. We aim to replace the:

• Australian marine pest monitoring guidelines
• Australian marine pest monitoring manual.

The updated guidelines will be used to plan and coordinate new surveillance activities.

Activity 2.2

Provide advice on use of surveillance techniques such that methods used across and between state and territory biosecurity agencies are quantifiable.

Status: Commenced

Summary:

• The Compendium of introduced marine pest molecular studies relevant to Australia is available. The compendium is a central repository for molecular diagnostic tools.
• A sample number calculator tool is available to explore surveillance design of marine pest surveys. This tool was designed by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI).
• SARDI has designed molecular surveillance to detect marine pests. This molecular surveillance supports the management of domestic ballast water.
• A list of molecular diagnostic facilities is available on request via MPSC@aff.gov.au. 

Activity 2.3

Incorporate guidance for components of surveillance in the Emergency MarinePestPlan.

Status: Commenced

Summary:

• Molecular assays (a surveillance tool) have been validated for various species. More information is in the Emergency MarinePestPlan (EMPPlan) resources.
• Policy principles for determining the status of marine pests have been developed. The policy principles will be published in national guidance resources. The principles are available on request via MPSC@aff.gov.au.
• National guidelines on determining the current status of marine pests are being developed. These guidelines will be used to determine marine pest status and guide future surveillance.
• Response manuals for specific taxa (invasive marine crabs and bivalves) were published. The response manual for general marine taxa was published. These manuals are part of the EMPPlan series.
• The new response manual for invasive ascidians has been endorsed by the MPSC and is being prepared for publication. The response manual for northern Pacific seastar (Asterias amurensis) is being updated.

Activity 2.4

Ensure validated molecular detection techniques are nationally available for priority pest species.

Status: Commenced

Summary:

• See an updated list of the molecular detection tools for priority marine pests.
• A project is underway to sequence more than 60 marine pest species in Northern Australia.
  • It is part of the National Biodiversity DNA Library (NBDL).
  • The NBDL aims to improve early detection capabilities in eDNA surveillance.
• WA has undertaken significant work to develop taxonomically verified genomic reference library sequences for priority marine pests. A list of species sequenced is available on request via MPSC@aff.gov.au. 

Deakin University has developed improved methods to detect the eDNA of 6 marine pest species, with a focus on optimal particle size and the dispersion of eDNA. For more information see Current Trends in Biophysical Modeling of eDNA Dynamics for the Detection of Marine Species.

Activity 2.5

Review and provide guidance on pest distribution modelling techniques that may be used in surveillance programs.

Status: Commenced

Summary: A review of existing techniques to model marine pest distributions is underway. Distribution modelling can assist with surveillance and inform response and management.

Activity 2.6

Facilitate passive surveillance by identifying mechanisms and resources required.

Status: Complete

Summary:

• 4 sectors (ports, marinas, divers and aquaculture) are targeted for marine pest awareness raising.
• Education materials for marine pests are available on OceanWatch.
• More digital materials on marine pests are available for download on the marine pests website. These materials include posters, fact sheets, and marine pest ID cards.

Activity 2.7

Develop and implement a national marine pest surveillance data repository.

Status: Commenced

Summary:

The National Introduced Marine Pest Information System (NIMPIS) is a central repository of marine pest information. NIMPIS details the biology, ecology and distribution of marine pest species in Australia. It includes species that are already introduced to Australia or could pose a future risk.

The NIMPIS surveillance data and species profiles are updated as required.

Activity 3.1

Develop a National Marine Pest Surveillance Work Plan.

Status: Complete

Summary:

The Marine Pest Sectoral Committee (MPSC) developed and published the National Marine Pest Surveillance Work Plan in 2021.

Activity 3.2

Review Marine pest surveillance activities and datasets relevant to Australia.

Status: Commenced

Summary:

A review of surveillance activities relevant to Commonwealth Places has been completed. The findings were shared with the Marine Pest Sectoral Committee (MPSC).

Following this, state and territory biosecurity agencies will review their activities and datasets.

Activity 4.1

Identify and engage stakeholder groups (including government) and educate on the importance of marine pest surveillance.

Status: Commenced

Summary:

• State biosecurity agencies are progressing education and awareness activities. These include:
  • training modules for Indigenous ranger programs
  • marine pest awareness videos.
• Passive surveillance, education and awareness materials have been developed. They are distributed to 4 key sectors (ports, marinas, divers, and aquaculture).

• Education materials have also been developed for schools. They include:

  • physical models of marine pests
  • visual presentations
  • junior marine biosecurity officer programs.

  More educational resources are available on Oceanwatch Australia.

• The marine pest surveillance education modules are being developed. It can be used to support government-led surveillance programs and stakeholder engagement projects.
• Discussions are underway with educators on marine biosecurity messaging. Content is being developed for high schools, TAFE, and university programs.

Activity 4.2

Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders to encourage surveillance, data sharing and early reporting.

Status: Complete

Summary:

• Marine pest stakeholders share their work at scientific conferences, workshops, and forums. This includes the Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA) Conference. This helps to educate and maintain relationships with stakeholders and the research community.
• The Indian Ocean Territories (IOTs) management plans were reviewed to include marine pests. These are plans for Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
• The Australian Marine Biosecurity Research Network (AMBRN) was successfully launched in November 2025, engaging 40 members. The network aims to:
  • share research and development priorities
  • encourage collaboration and information exchange
  • coordinate technical efforts and strategic direction.
• An online platform has been established for network collaboration, and plans are underway to create a repository of R&D providers to facilitate researcher connections. Please contact MPSC@aff.gov.au. if you are interested in joining the AMBRN.

Activity 4.3

Support and develop international partnerships, to improve surveillance tools and capability.

Status: Commenced

Summary:

• The CSIRO has launched the National Biodiversity DNA Library (NBDL) to publish genetic sequences of marine pest species and related native species.
• Marine pest stakeholders promote Australia’s marine pest surveillance programs at international forums. These forums include the International Conference for Marine Bioinvasions (ICMB) and the International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species (ICAIS).
• Stakeholders engage marine biosecurity organisations in the Pacific region to further develop working relationships.