Marine Pest Sectoral Committee, 2019
Australia’s national strategy for marine pest surveillance. The strategy:
- outlines our national surveillance priorities
- sets our strategic direction for investment in surveillance over the next 5 years, 2021–2026.
There are four objectives in the strategy:
- To define the need, objectives and scope for surveillance.
- To describe the different components and types of surveillance required to meet those objectives.
- To outline a nationally agreed approach to marine pest surveillance.
- To outline stakeholder roles and responsibilities, including identification of lead agencies for surveillance and communication.
Each objective is supported by activities that address specific marine pest surveillance issues.
The National Marine Pest Surveillance Work Plan will be used to guide implementation of the Surveillance Strategy.
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Progress
Objective 1: To define the need, objectives and scope for surveillance
Activity 1.1
Develop an understanding of factors associated with incursion pathways (including vessels that may affect likelihood of introduction of marine pests.
Status: Not commenced
Activity 1.2
Relevant authorities to identify priority surveillance locations for marine pests based on outcome of 1.1.
Status: Not commenced
Activity 1.3
Maintain an agreed list of priority pest species for surveillance.
Status: Not commenced
Objective 2: To describe the different components and types of surveillance required to meet those objectives
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: The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has commence work on developing updated surveillance guidance resources to replace the Australian marine pest monitoring guidelines and Australian marine pest monitoring manual.
Activity 2.2
Provide advice on use of surveillance techniques such that methods used across and between jurisdictions are quantifiable.
Status: Commenced
Summary: The Compilation of Australian marine pest studies and diagnostic facilities has been published on the Marine Pests Website. Australian marine pest molecular studies and a list of capabilities of laboratories that have expertise in marine pest surveillance and identification using molecular techniques is available on request. Contact MPSC@aff.gov.au for more information.
Activity 2.3
Incorporate guidance for components of surveillance in the Emergency Marine Pest Plan.
Status: Commenced
Summary: The Marine Pest Sectoral Committee is developing national policy for determining proof of freedom for marine pests. The policy will be incorporated into Emergency Marine Pest Plan resources to inform proof of freedom surveillance for marine pests.
Activity 2.4
Ensure validated molecular detection techniques are nationally available for priority pest species.
Status: Commenced
Summary: Projects are currently underway to validate PCR assays for 11 priority pest species. For information on existing validated molecular assays see activity 2.2.
Activity 2.5
Review and provide guidance on pest distribution modelling techniques that may be used in surveillance programs.
Status: Not commenced
Activity 2.6
Facilitate passive surveillance by identifying mechanisms and resources required.
Status: Commenced
Summary: Australia’s existing passive surveillance education and engagement material for marine pests has been compiled and is available on the OceanWatch Website. A gap analysis completed in early 2020 identified four specific sectors for marine pest awareness raising: Ports, Marinas, Divers and Aquaculture. Materials on raising marine pest awareness such as posters, fact sheets and digital materials are being developed for use by these four sectors to increase education and passive surveillance of marine pests.
The Marine Pest Sectoral Committee (MPSC) has successfully engaged with the Ports sector and completed passive surveillance materials for this group. MPSC is currently engaged with the Marinas and Divers sectors, with materials to be completed for these two groups by August and September 2022, respectively. MPSC will engage the Aquaculture sector and develop materials for this group by October 2022.
Activity 2.7
Develop and implement a national marine pest surveillance data repository.
Status: Commenced
Summary: Since the update of the National Introduced Marine Pest Information System (NIMPIS) platform in 2019, 30 marine pest species profiles have been reviewed and 2 new species profiles have been created. An additional 6 species profiles are currently under review.
Objective 3: To outline a nationally agreed approach to marine pest surveillance
Activity 3.1
Develop a national marine pest surveillance work plan.
Status: Complete
Summary: The Marine Pest Sectoral Committee developed and published the National Marine Pest Surveillance Work Plan in 2021. The work plan will be used to guide implementation of the National Marine Pest Surveillance Strategy
Activity 3.2
Review Marine pest surveillance activities and data sets relevant to Australia.
Status: Commenced
Summary: A register of managers for Commonwealth places has been developed and historic surveillance data requested. Updates from the states and Northern Territory will be provided once work has commenced in these jurisdictions.
Objective 4: To outline stakeholder responsibilities including identification of lead agencies responsible for undertaking surveillance and communications
Activity 4.1
Identify and engage stakeholder groups (including government) and educate on the importance of marine pest surveillance.
Status: Commenced
Summary: The Marine Pest Sectoral Committee developed and published the National Marine Pest Surveillance Work Plan in 2021. The work plan will be used to guide implementation of the National Marine Pest Surveillance Strategy
Activity 4.2
Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders to encourage surveillance, data sharing and early reporting.
Status: Not commenced
Activity 4.3
Support and develop international partnerships, to improve surveillance tools and capability.
Status: Not commenced