Transport of toxic dinoflagellate cysts via ships' ballast water☆

摘要: Toxic dinoflagellate species that are not endemic to an area can be inadvertently introduced when their cysts discharged with the ballast tank sediments of bulk container ships. These species, which affect fish- and shellfish-farms, pose a serious threat public health aquaculture. Among 80 cargo vessels entering Australian ports, 40% contained viable 6% carried toxic dinoflagellates Alexandrium catenella A. tamarense (up estimated 300 million per ship). The introduction new quarantine measures is discussed; however, implications this potential spreading algae global.