Sahar CHEBAANE, BENZARTI O., BOUHLEL R., SEMPERE-VALVERDE J.
MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre / ARNET - Aquatic Research
Network, Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação Tecnologia e
Inovação (ARDITI) Funchal, Madeira, Portugal / Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade
de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
E-mail: sahar.chebaane@mare.arditi.pt
TU-NIS-RISK: ASSESSING THE RISK OF INVASION FOR NONINDIGENOUS AND CRYPTOGENIC SPECIES IN THE MARINAS
OF TUNISIA
Abstract
The introduction and spread of non-indigenous marine species (NIS) have significant threats to
global biodiversity, natural resources, and human health and constitute a priority for the
protection and management of coastal areas. Harbours and marinas have been identified as NIS
hotspots within the coastal infrastructure. NIS can acclimatize and increase the chances of
spreading to natural areas and generate ecological and socio-economic impacts in these areas.
Therefore, the introduced NIS inside the marina that managed to establish should be prioritized
when categorizing "who comes first" when allocating resources for management. In this regard,
decision-support tools for identifying potentially invasive NIS can be helpful. The Aquatic Species
Invasiveness Screening Kit (AS-ISK) is a tool developed for this purpose and can assess the
invasiveness potential of NIS within a specific area. This tool follows the EU Regulation No
1143/2014 on invasive alien species of EU concern and is mainly designed to work with marine
autotrophs, invertebrates and fish. In this study, the AS-ISK is carried out for those NIS and
cryptogenic species identified during a rapid assessment survey carried out in 6 marinas of
Tunisia in August 2021. The assessment results highlight the taxa with a higher risk of
invasiveness to the Tunisian natural coasts and protected areas. Therefore, these results will help
inform managerial decisions and resource allocation for the early eradication of those NIS and
cryptogenic species with a higher risk of causing environmental and economic problems.
Key-words: Marinas, AS-ISK, Non-indigenous Species, Cryptogenic Species, Invasiveness
Introduction
The introduction and spread of non-indigenous marine species (NIS) have significant
threats to global biodiversity, natural resources, and human health and constitute a priority
for the protection and management of coastal areas (Molnar et al., 2008). Therefore, it is
imperative to monitor these NIS and assess their risk of invasion to nearby areas to improve
management and conservation strategies in coastal habitats (Copp et al., 2016).
Materials and methods
A rapid assessment survey (RAS) of 2 hours was conducted in six marinas of Tunisia
(Fig. 1). For the taxa identified during RAS, a risk assessment was conducted using ASISK, answering up to 55 questions and obtaining scores for Basic Risk Assessment (BRA)
and BRA plus Climate Change Assessment (BRA+CCA - Copp et al., 2016).
Results
Twenty taxa were identified and assessed, with arthropods, bryozoans and tunicates being
2nd Mediterranean Symposium on the Non-Indigenous Species (Genoa, Italy, 22-23 September 2022)
87
MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre / ARNET - Aquatic Research
Network, Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação Tecnologia e
Inovação (ARDITI) Funchal, Madeira, Portugal / Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade
de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
E-mail: sahar.chebaane@mare.arditi.pt
TU-NIS-RISK: ASSESSING THE RISK OF INVASION FOR NONINDIGENOUS AND CRYPTOGENIC SPECIES IN THE MARINAS
OF TUNISIA
Abstract
The introduction and spread of non-indigenous marine species (NIS) have significant threats to
global biodiversity, natural resources, and human health and constitute a priority for the
protection and management of coastal areas. Harbours and marinas have been identified as NIS
hotspots within the coastal infrastructure. NIS can acclimatize and increase the chances of
spreading to natural areas and generate ecological and socio-economic impacts in these areas.
Therefore, the introduced NIS inside the marina that managed to establish should be prioritized
when categorizing "who comes first" when allocating resources for management. In this regard,
decision-support tools for identifying potentially invasive NIS can be helpful. The Aquatic Species
Invasiveness Screening Kit (AS-ISK) is a tool developed for this purpose and can assess the
invasiveness potential of NIS within a specific area. This tool follows the EU Regulation No
1143/2014 on invasive alien species of EU concern and is mainly designed to work with marine
autotrophs, invertebrates and fish. In this study, the AS-ISK is carried out for those NIS and
cryptogenic species identified during a rapid assessment survey carried out in 6 marinas of
Tunisia in August 2021. The assessment results highlight the taxa with a higher risk of
invasiveness to the Tunisian natural coasts and protected areas. Therefore, these results will help
inform managerial decisions and resource allocation for the early eradication of those NIS and
cryptogenic species with a higher risk of causing environmental and economic problems.
Key-words: Marinas, AS-ISK, Non-indigenous Species, Cryptogenic Species, Invasiveness
Introduction
The introduction and spread of non-indigenous marine species (NIS) have significant
threats to global biodiversity, natural resources, and human health and constitute a priority
for the protection and management of coastal areas (Molnar et al., 2008). Therefore, it is
imperative to monitor these NIS and assess their risk of invasion to nearby areas to improve
management and conservation strategies in coastal habitats (Copp et al., 2016).
Materials and methods
A rapid assessment survey (RAS) of 2 hours was conducted in six marinas of Tunisia
(Fig. 1). For the taxa identified during RAS, a risk assessment was conducted using ASISK, answering up to 55 questions and obtaining scores for Basic Risk Assessment (BRA)
and BRA plus Climate Change Assessment (BRA+CCA - Copp et al., 2016).
Results
Twenty taxa were identified and assessed, with arthropods, bryozoans and tunicates being
2nd Mediterranean Symposium on the Non-Indigenous Species (Genoa, Italy, 22-23 September 2022)
87