Port and marina operators

Marine pests can have a serious effect on ports and marinas.

Boats and vessels regularly pass through from different locations. They pose a high risk of spreading marine pests. These pests can damage your infrastructure and lead to fines or closures.

Protect your port or marina:

Keep it clean and free from pests.
Look out for boats and vessels that may bring pests into your waters.
Learn how to identify pests. Report anything you find.

Learn how you can help protect Australia from marine pests. Watch the video.

Transcript - Biosecurity Basics - Shared Responsibility (docx 56KB)

Educational resources

The Marine Pest Sectoral Committee have developed educational materials. These materials help raise awareness on marine pests and increase passive surveillance.

The materials consist of posters and A4 fact sheets. Port and marina operators can download, print, and share the posters and A4 fact sheets.

Ports materials

Download

Marine pests - Ports poster (PDF – 1.14 MB)
Marine pests - Ports poster (DOCX – 481 KB)

Marine pests - Ports fact sheet (PDF – 1.09 MB)
Marine pests - Ports fact sheet (DOCX – 389 KB)

Marina materials

Download

Marine pests - Marinas poster (PDF – 1.12 MB)
Marine pests - Marinas poster (DOCX – 541 KB)

Marine pests - Marinas fact sheet (PDF – 757 KB)
Marine pests - Marinas fact sheet (DOCX – 466 KB)

If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility for assistance.

Keep it clean

Keep marine pests out of your port or marina.

Anything that is submerged in water can spread marine pests. Keep watch for pests on incoming vessels and signs of pests in your waters and on your structures.

Protect your business and Australia:

check local requirements with your state or territory authority.
read our guidance on managing biofouling risks.

Biofouling

Marine organisms that attach and grow on submerged surfaces.

Biofouling is one of the most common ways that marine pests spread. They can attach in large quantities on vessels and equipment and move long distances. They will then spread to the next location you use your equipment or vessel.

Biofouling increases the longer a vessel or structure is submerged or when antifouling paint is not regularly applied.

Clean marina

Marina operators can apply to be a certified clean marina.

This is a voluntary program. It involves training and accreditation, including ways to protect inland and coastal waterways.

Find out more about clean marina certification.

Manage biofouling

Keep your port or marina free from biofouling.

Check and clean your infrastructure regularly.
Make sure vessels are free from biofouling when they arrive.
Provide facilities to clean vessels and dispose of fouling safely.

Look for pests or unusual growth. Remove anything you find. Dispose of it on land.

Use our biofouling management guidelines for marinas, slipways, boat maintenance and recreational boating facilities.

Read our advice on managing vessel risks.

Know your area

Keep a lookout in your area.

Make sure vessel operators are meeting their obligations.

Be informed. Look for anything unusual. Help stop the spread of marine pests.

Local requirements

States and territories are responsible for managing marine pest risks in their area.

You must meet requirements set by your relevant state or territory authority:

Report it

See something unusual? Report it. Even if you’re not sure.

If you see something you think could be a pest:

note the exact location (screenshot your map app or enable photo geotagging on your phone)
take a photo (use something for size reference, like a coin or note)
contact your state or territory authority.

Report