Our
Biosecurity Flagship and the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS)
recently held a joint workshop in Hobart to
discuss the risks posed to Australia's ocean and coastal resources from
invasive marine pests and diseases. More than fifty experts, in marine
environmental research, biosecurity policy and research and from various
industry fields, attended the workshop that
covered a range of topics including, risk identification, prevention,
surveillance for early detection, and prompt response.
The workshop explored the potential for new technologies to provide more
rapid, cost effective surveillance of high priority pests, asking
whether advanced sensors, sensor networks and autonomous platforms,
together with the rapidly evolving field of 'eco-genomics'
can provide the enhanced surveillance outcomes needed for more
effective marine biosecurity.
Tim Moltmann, IMOS Director, welcomed the interest from CSIRO to broaden
its engagement in marine biosecurity. 'It's really good to see the
consideration CSIRO is giving marine biosecurity because too often, it
is out of sight, out of mind,' Tim said.
The workshop achieved its key purpose of clarifying the scale and scope
of issues associated with marine biosecurity for Australia and a report
is in the final stages of being developed.
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