04 Jul 2016

Jason Hall Spencer   Rising sea temperatures are fueling a surge in the numbers of a carnivorous lionfish (Pterois miles) in the Mediterranean, and they’re preying on herbivorous fish species that are key to maintaining the seas ecosystem. “The lionfish is an Indo-Pacific fish and it sits well in that ecosystem as there are predators that […]

11 Apr 2016

The IMO Ballast Water Convention is on the eve of entry into force. With Indonesia, Morocco and Ghana recently ratifying convention, it is expected that the world is within 1% of reaching the required 35% Global Tonnage remaining to be signed. Senior industry officials are suggesting that the convention is imminent. Once ratified, ship owners […]

20 Jul 2015

A number of fishermen on the Sussex coast are reporting catches of non-native lobsters (Canadian Homarus americanus) and crabs (Metacarcinus magister) in an area in the vicinity of Brighton on the Sussex coast. The MMO would like to ask that anyone who catches non-native lobsters or crabs keeps the animals (regardless of size) and reports […]

01 Mar 2015

The arrival of the Indo-Pacific lionfish in the Caribbean has been major source of concern flagging once again the increase of alien species throughout the marine environment. One element of the narrative was that since the Caribbean was devoid of natural predators for the lionfish its rapid expansion across the region would decimate reef fish […]

14 Oct 2014

The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust: ‘The Quagga mussel, identified by scientists as the number one most dangerous alien species of mollusc, has been found at Wraysbury Reservoir near Heathrow Airport. In the United States, the mussel is threatening to bring the Hoover Dam to a standstill and cut off water to Las Vegas. The Hoover […]

18 Apr 2014

 EAC ‘The report sets out the findings of the Committee’s inquiry, which examined the measures covered in a proposed EU regulation on the management on invasive species, as well as proposals from the Law Commission to change the law on invasive species. The Environmental Audit Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to consider […]