An outbreak of black-striped false mussels (Mytilopsis sallei) in 1999 and subsequent successful eradication response by the Northern Territory Government was the catalyst to introduce a marine pest surveillance program.
The program includes surveillance through the deployment of submerged settlement arrays at high-risk locations, including wharves, a quarantine basin and marinas. The arrays are inspected for fouling organisms at 3- and 6-month intervals. Other sites which are monitored regularly are Melville Island, Nhulunbuy (Gove), and previously Groote Eylandt. Invasive species that have been intercepted through the program have been the Asian green mussel, black-striped false mussel and Charru mussel. Long term surveillance of the aquatic environment logs seasonal changes in community composition, re-emergence of species, and the potential for biocontrol. The Aquatic Biosecurity unit undertakes a low tide survey each year and inspects wharf and port infrastructure and islands that become exposed at low tide for marine pests and native flora and fauna species. There are currently trials using eDNA that have cross reactivity in some taxa and picked up DNA from cold water taxa.
This talk describes the implementation of the marine pest program which engages with indigenous rangers, defence, mining companies, exporters, port authorities and marinas.