Maritime Biosecurity Training

About the Course

International maritime trade is truly a global activity. A plethora of different vessels ply the world’s oceans and seas 24/7, carrying every conceivable type of cargo across all points of the compass.

The bustling activity of maritime trade, however, is not without its consequences. Herein lies one of the most serious environmental threats facing the planet today: the disruption, invasion or complete destruction of a local marine ecosystem due to the introduction and establishment of aggressive, non-indigenous species.

Maritime vessels act as the prime vectors for this occurrence. Foreign species may be contained within ballast water or hitch a ride on a vessel’s hull. When ballast water is vented, an exchange will take place between the flora and fauna present from the previous destination(s) and that present at the current location.

‘Biofouling’ on ship hulls allows foreign organisms to attach to the vessels and ‘drop off’ a hull or enter into some form of reproductive stage once they reach a different location. As port congestion continues to increase around the world, an even greater scope of transference and ‘cross-contamination’ inter-vessel occurs, with ships laying at anchor in queues awaiting their turn to load and discharge cargoes.

Many communities and commercial enterprises within coastal regions rely on their local marine habitat – from fishing and diving to tourism and aquaculture. The threat of contamination is serious in terms of the longer-term prognosis for loss or damage. Livelihoods can be lost, not to mention the economic/cost factor to consider in attempting to combat and control these intruders.

Governments around the world recognise the seriousness of this issue and are already taking action to address it. A growing body of legislation, rules, and regulations is evolving to protect marine ecosystems and promote sustainable shipping practices.

This maritime biosecurity course is specifically designed to inform and equip the delegates with a holistic understanding of the nature of the threat, the components that constitute it, and some suggested actions that may be undertaken to manage the problem proactively. By providing the knowledge and tools necessary to address the issue of invasive species in maritime trade, we can work together to preserve our invaluable marine ecosystems for future generations.

Who Should Attend

This Maritime Biosecurity course is designed for individuals who work in or are interested in the maritime industry, particularly those involved in maritime operations, shipping, port management, and related fields. The course is relevant for a variety of professionals who play a role in maintaining the biosecurity of maritime environments, including:

• Port Authorities and Managers
• Shipping and Maritime Industry Professionals
• Customs and Border Protection Officers
• Environmental Scientists and Researchers
• Government Officials and Policy Makers
• Environmental Conservationists
• Risk Managers and Compliance Officers
• Marine Biologists

Key Learning Objectives

• Become familiar with the concept of ‘marine biosecurity’
• Learn about current maritime legislation
• Understand the variety of negative impacts that can occur within a local marine habitat from an invasive exotic species
• Learn the meaning of ‘biofouling’
• Become familiar with biosecurity planning and understand the components of the process
• Be able to assess the key factors from a surveying perspective that might lead to contamination of a local marine habitat
• Grasp the key importance of stakeholder engagement
• Understand the necessity of organisations paying attention to their corporate social responsibilities within this area
• Gain an insight into cyber-biosecurity and its importance
• Consider the ramifications of digitalisation and what this might mean for organisations engaged in maritime or maritime-related activities

Course Information

Instructional Delivery Method: In Person and Live Digital
Prerequisite & Advanced Preparation: Reading material will be sent prior to the course 

Delivered by Christopher Lennon

Christopher Lennon is the Director of Stone Falcon Corporate and Legal Consulting Ltd – a company that works internationally based in Scotland, UK. Chris has 30 years’ experience within the oil, gas and power industry, specialising in contractual issues, commercial negotiation and dispute resolution.

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