Public's perceptions of marine bioinvasive risks and responsible parties - Implications for social acceptability and better-informed communication in the marine biosecurity context

Management of non-indigenous species in Macaronesia: Misconceptions and alerts to decision-makers

Human-induced pressures have led to substantial changes in marine ecosystems worldwide, with the introduction of non-indigenous species (NIS) emerging as a significant threat to ecological, economic, and social aspects. The Macaronesian islands, comprising the Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, and Cabo Verde archipelagos, are regions where the regional economy is dependent on marine resources (e.g., marine traffic, ecotourism and fisheries). Despite their importance, concerted efforts to manage marine biological invasions in Macaronesia have been scarce. In this context, the current study aims to contribute to the much-needed debate on biosecurity measures in this unique insular ecosystem to prevent and mitigate the impact of NIS. By adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria, this work validated and analyzed 260 documents providing insights into the management of NIS in Macaronesia until 2022. These documents revealed the presence of 29 Invasive Alien Species (IAS), most of which are misconceptions regarding this terminology. Most studies focused on the stages of early detection, rapid response, and eradication across the archipelagos. Cabo Verde had comparatively fewer studies. The most common techniques include monitoring/sampling, literature reviews, and taxonomic reviews. NIS introduction pathways were mainly attributed to transport (stowaway) and unaided migration, with ship fouling, ballast water, rafting, ocean currents, and tropicalization being also identified as significant contributors. This systematic review highlights the current efforts to establish robust biosecurity protocols in Macaronesia and emphasizes the urgent need to safeguard the region's ecological, economic, and social well-being.

Public awareness of marine environmental quality and its relationship for policy support on marine waste management

Marine debris is a significant pollution problem affecting the world's oceans. The Marine Debris Governance Platform in Taiwan was established in 2017. It adopts a cross-disciplinary approach and encourages collaboration between the public and private sectors to implement actions aimed at raising social awareness and reducing ocean pollution. Generation and impact of waste due to the support and participation of the public, it is crucial for the successful implementation of waste management and the achievement of policy. This study utilizes questionnaire surveys to investigate the factors that influence public support and participation in the action plan of the marine waste management platform for the entire population of Taiwan. We recovered 1295 valid questionnaires and conducted an in-depth analysis of the public's awareness of the marine environment. In terms of the perceived effectiveness of policies, the public considers the "source reduction" action plan to be the most effective policy. Based on this study, it is recommended that the government utilize environmental education and media communication to effectively convey and promote the various policies associated with the action plans. This should gradually lead the public to develop a more positive awareness of the marine environment and increase their involvement in supporting the government's policies on reducing marine waste and plastic.

Emerging advances in biosecurity to underpin human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health

One Biosecurity is an interdisciplinary approach to policy and research that builds on the interconnections between human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health to effectively prevent and mitigate the impacts of invasive alien species. To support this approach requires that key cross-sectoral research innovations be identified and prioritized. Following an interdisciplinary horizon scan for emerging research that underpins One Biosecurity, four major interlinked advances were identified: implementation of new surveillance technologies adopting state-of-the-art sensors connected to the Internet of Things, deployable handheld molecular and genomic tracing tools, the incorporation of wellbeing and diverse human values into biosecurity decision-making, and sophisticated socio-environmental models and data capture. The relevance and applicability of these innovations to address threats from pathogens, pests, and weeds in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems emphasize the opportunity to build critical mass around interdisciplinary teams at a global scale that can rapidly advance science solutions targeting biosecurity threats.