Biofouling could potentially devastate Antarctica’s marine ecosystem Posted by Taylah Strauss on 12 January 2022 A recent study has found that various marine species from around the world are invading and imposing threats to Antarctica’s largely untouched marine ecosystem by attaching themselves to ships that visit the icy continent. South Africa’s Antarctic vessel, The SA Agulhas II. Picture: Getaway Gallery The study can be found in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science and was conducted by a research team from the British Antarctic Survey and the University of Cambridge. Utilizing satellite data and monitoring international shipping databases to determine the weight of Antarctic traffic, the study makes a case for stricter regulations and protocols to be put in place on ships travelling to Antarctica that could potentially carry invasive species. Creatures of particular concern are mussels, barnacles, crabs, and algae because they attach themselves to hulls. This process is called biofouling. Some of these creatures can survive in polar waters and multiply, thereby threatening marine life on the seabed, according to BBC. Biofuelling on a boat’s hull. Picture: Dansker/Wikimedia Commons One might think that because Antarctica is both extremely regulated and isolated, this is not of significance, as it only occurs rarely, then surely it shouldn’t pose so much of a problem, right? Except that ships from 1500 global ports visit Antarctica, meaning that invasive species from anywhere in the world can be transported to Antarctica. These species create entirely new habitats to survive in the frigid waters and make it harder for native Antarctic marine life to survive. These new habitats can completely devastate the surrounding ecosystem. Lead researcher Arlie McCarthy explained the significance of this: ‘Antarctica’s native species have been isolated for the last 15-30 million years. This is the last place in the world where we don’t have marine invasive species.’ Thus, the preservation of Antarctica’s ecosystem is imperative. To read more on this study, click here. ALSO READ Over 500 beached starfish returned to ocean in Simon’s Town Related Posts Cape Town’s sustainability: Leading the way in environmental initiatives 1 June 2023 As National Environmental Month commences in South Africa, Cape Town stands proudly at the forefront... read more Kapama to host Safari Guide of the Year Awards 2023 1 June 2023 Kapama Private Game Reserve near Hoedspruit will host this year’s Safari Guide of the Year... read more Blood Lions relaunches for public viewing on YouTube 1 June 2023 Award-winning documentary feature film Blood Lions has been relaunched on YouTube for public viewing, creating... read more PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE
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