This working group will provide advice for the management of one of the main environmental stressors in European Seas, in particular the Mediterranean Sea, in response to the increasing threat of biological invasions on the Mediterranean biodiversity and the need for a pan-Mediterranean co-ordinated bioinvasion management. The objective of the workshop is to identify management issues and suggest practicable actions to be considered for Mediterranean-wide coordinated bioinvasion management.
Amongst the issues to be discussed are: harmonised data collection and dissemination; developing monitoring and modelling parameters and reporting protocols; managing vectors to minimise the risk of transfers; Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) population spread and abundance control; establishment of rapid response protocols; and NIS management in and adjacent to marine conservation/protected areas.
The main outcome will be a post-workshop preparation of a position paper on the generic requirements, challenges and milestones needed to achieve a Mediterranean-wide coordinated bio-invasion management. A proposal prescribing a generic roadmap and identifying the key elements of the management process will be prepared. This event will initiate a consortium of scientists towards the creation of a virtual global consortium to deal with the management of highly complex NIS invasions to the Mediterranean. This workshop and its outcomes would add value to regional sea conventions to address legislative requirements at regional seas levels.
To download the Ischia Declaration (the activity report) and the associated press release, please click on the link below "Managing bioinvasions: the Ischia Declaration".