MISA - Marine Innovation SA

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MISA Biosecurity Node Leader, Dr Marty Deveney, who will be overseeing activities in the new SA Aquatic Biosecurity Centre at Roseworthy Campus.

Caulerpa taxifolia, a green macroalga, is one of the most notorious marine pests.  It is native to tropical areas but has invaded the Mediterranean Sea, and areas in California, Japan, and Southern Australia including several estuaries in New South Wales and the Port River, South Australia. West Lakes eradication cost $4 million, total spent on Caulerpa taxifolia was $10 million.

Perna canaliculus, the New Zealand green-lipped mussel, has been found in South Australia after being introduced with biofouling.  It is closely related to Perna viridis, an invasive species that is notorious for clogging pipes used by industrial complexes, fouling marine equipment and competing with native filter feeding bivalves.  Perna viridis has recently been demonstrated to survive and reproduce outside its known temperature tolerance and water quality range, and these factors suggest that P. canaliculus poses a threat to South Australian ecosystems.

Carcinus maenas the European shore crab, is a medium-sized crab that has invaded marine and coastal waters in Tasmania, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.  Carcinus maenas is a voracious predator with a broad diet and has been implicated in the decline of native shellfish populations, some of commercial importance.

Undaria pinnatifida, the edible seaweed wakame, is an invasive species in New Zealand, Tasmania and Victoria.  It forms dense underwater stands, competing for light and space with native organisms which can lead to the exclusion or displacement of native plant and animal species.  The threat it poses to South Australian marine ecosystems is heightened by the proximity of populations in Victoria.

Abalone with Perkinsus olseni from South Australia.  Perkinsus olseni, a protozoan parasite, was first detected in South Australia in the early 1980s when it caused serious mortalities in abalone populations on York Peninsula.  It continues to occur in abalone around Eyre Peninsula and poses a threat to South Australia’s $35M/year abalone industries.