Ms Frances Perry1, Dr Justine Shaw2, Dr Phillip Cassey1, Dr Patrick Lewis3, Dr Anna MacDonald3, Dr Andrea Polanowski3, Dr Jonathan Stark3, Dr Leonie Suter3
1Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia, 2Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia, 3Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Hobart, Australia
Biography:
Frances is a PhD student at the University of Adelaide, supported by Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future. Her research focuses on understanding the risk posed by vessel biofouling to the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic and aims to identify the most effective biosecurity policies to protect these unique ecosystems.
Abstract:
The Antarctic and sub-Antarctic remain largely free from non-native marine species but may be vulnerable to their introduction. Monitoring for marine non-native species is difficult and there are currently no long-term monitoring programs in Antarctica or on vessels. Biofouling on ship hulls has been identified as the primary vector for Southern Ocean introductions, and studies of how this pathway operates can inform development of appropriate biofouling management strategies. We investigated the potential of eDNA as a monitoring tool to detect the transfer of non-native species in biofouling on the icebreaking vessel MPOV Aiviq using passive eDNA sampling. The ship was sampled in the port of Hobart prior to and following hull cleaning, and at Macquarie Island during the 2021-22 Antarctic season. eDNA samples were amplified with two universal markers as well as arthropod and mollusc specific markers to gain a wide overview of taxa present. Comparison of eDNA and visual surveys conducted in Hobart allowed us to verify the effectiveness of eDNA sampling. Samples from Macquarie Island detected known invasive species as well as providing baseline biodiversity information. Our findings inform biofouling management and monitoring strategies for non-native species in the sub-Antarctic and Antarctica, reducing risks from all shipping activities.