MARE participates in the ICES Working Group on Biological Invasions annual meeting

MARE participated in the annual meeting of the ICES Working Group on Biological Invasions, which took place from 4 to 6 March in Sète, southern Spain. The meeting brought together researchers from several European and North American countries to discuss recent scientific advances and the main challenges related to the introduction and spread of non-indigenous species in marine ecosystems.

The meeting was chaired by João Canning-Clode (MARE-Madeira | ARNET), the current head of the working group. MARE was also represented by Paula Chainho and Sara Cabral (MARE, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa | ARNET) and by Cátia Bartilotti (MARE, NOVA FCT | ARNET).

One of the main functions of this working group is to annually update the list of non-indigenous species introduced across different regions, contributing to improved scientific knowledge and supporting the management of these species at the international level.

Several topics related to biological invasions were discussed during the meeting, including introduction pathways such as biofouling, the effects of climate change on the spread of these species, new tools for their detection and monitoring, and the role of introduced parasites and other pathogens. The social and economic dimensions of managing invasive species were also addressed.

The meeting took place in an open, collaborative environment, facilitating knowledge exchange and the development of new scientific collaborations to support informed decision-making at the global level.

The next meeting of the group was also announced and will take place in 2027, in Turku, Finland.

Text: Paula Chainho and Vera Sequeira