International conference on Biofouling and Ballast Water Management
05/02/2008
Cardium, National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula
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403004
Many organisms with a sessile or sedentary mode of life have the dual distinction of being important in hard substratum ecology and a biofouling problem in the marine environment. Their colonization on man-made structures also aids in their dispersion into alien environments; the hulls of ships are a major vector in such dispersion. Introduction of harmful aquatic organisms to new environments via ballast water in ships has also been identified as one of the four greatest threats to the health of the world oceans. Rarely do specialists on the topic of biofouling and ballast-water transport participate in the same forums. The International Conference on Biofouling and Ballast Water Management aims to address these urgent issues synergistically with the goal of recognizing common problems and the development of new solutions.