The marine invasive species problem is getting worse
but the growing environmental,social and economic
risks,and the negative impact on people’s well-being
(loss of net socioeconomic benefits) are still being largely
ignored by governments and environmental interest
groups. Only one vector (ballast water) is being
addressed—the fact that ballast water is being addressed
has perhaps led to the incorrect conclusion that the
problem as a whole is being addressed. In fact,almost
nothing is being done to manage the majority of vectors
responsible for distributing invasive alien marine species
around the world. These other vectors are responsible
for introducing some of the most damaging invasive
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N. Bax et al. / Marine Policy 27 (2003) 313–323 321
species (e.g. Caulerpa taxifolia in the Mediterranean and
California; white spot syndrome virus throughout the
Pacific). Marine invasive species are primary drivers of
ecological change—they create and modify habitat; eat
or outcompete native fauna; act as disease agents or
vectors; and threaten biodiversity. Their diverse and
widespread impacts means that they affect all other
marine conservation programs including: marine protected
areas; habitat management (effects of fishing);
marine mammal conservation,etc. Unlike most other
environmental impacts (but similar to species extinction)
they are irreversible.