An evaluation of strategies for restoring a degraded New Zealand scallop fishery using stochastic dynamic simulation modelling.

A decision-theoretical approach was used to evaluate strategies to rebuild a severely depleted scallop (Pecten novaezelandiae) populations in the Tasman Bay and Golden Bay of New Zealand. These strategies were: no intervention, cessation of seabed bottom contact fishing, and reduction of sediment and nutrient runoff from surrounding land through on-farm practices. Our approach combined outputs of estimated effects of on-farm practices on erosion and nutrient reduction with a stochastic dynamic model of the scallop populations.

Towards reproducible metabarcoding data: Lessons from an international cross-laboratory experiment.

Advances in high-throughput sequencing (HTS) are revolutionizing monitoring in marine environments by enabling rapid, accurate and holistic detection of species within complex biological samples. Research institutions worldwide increasingly employ HTS methods for biodiversity assessments. However, variance in laboratory procedures, analytical workflows and bioinformatic pipelines impede the transferability and comparability of results across research groups.

The risks of using molecular biodiversity data for incidental detection of species of concern.

Incidental detection of species of concern (e.g., invasive species, pathogens, threatened and endangered species) during biodiversity assessments based on high-throughput DNA sequencing holds significant risks in the absence of rigorous, fit-for-purpose data quality and reporting standards.

Trends in the detection of aquatic non-indigenous species across global marine, estuarine and freshwater ecosystems: A 50-year perspective.

Aim: The introduction of aquatic non-indigenous species (ANS) has become a major driver for global changes in species biogeography. We examined spatial patterns and temporal trends of ANS detections since 1965 to inform conservation policy and management.

Location: Global.

Combining morpho-taxonomy and metabarcoding enhances the detection of non-indigenous marine pests in biofouling communities.

Marine infrastructure can favor the spread of non-indigenous marine biofouling species by providing a suitable habitat for them to proliferate. Cryptic organisms or those in early life stages can be difficult to distinguish by conventional morphological taxonomy. Molecular tools, such as metabarcoding, may improve their detection.

Considerations for incorporating real-time PCR assays into routine marine biosecurity surveillance programmes: a case study targeting the Mediterranean fanworm () and club tunicate () .

Molecular techniques may provide effective tools to enhance marine biosecurity surveillance. Prior to routine implementation, evidence-based consideration of their benefits and limitations is needed. In this study, we assessed the efficiency and practicality of visual diver surveys and real-time PCR assays (targeting DNA and RNA) for detecting two marine invasive species whose infestation levels varied between species and location: and .

Enhancing passive sampling tools for detecting marine bioinvasions.

Early detection is important for successful management of invasive species, but optimising monitoring systems to detect multiple species from different taxonomic groups remains a major challenge. Settlement plates are often used to monitor non-indigenous marine species (NIMS) associated with vessel biofouling, but there have been few assessments of their fitness-for-purpose. We deployed arrays of settlement plates ("settlement arrays") containing combinations of treatments that reflected conditions associated with the vessel transport pathway (i.

The impact of artificial surfaces on marine bacterial and eukaryotic biofouling assemblages: A high-throughput sequencing analysis.

Vessel hulls and underwater infrastructure can be severely impacted by marine biofouling. Knowledge on which abiotic conditions of artificial structures influence bacterial and eukaryotic community composition is limited. In this study, settlement plates with differing surface texture, orientation and copper-based anti-fouling coatings were deployed in a marina.

Development of a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection of the invasive Mediterranean fanworm, Sabella spallanzanii, in environmental samples.

The Mediterranean fanworm, Sabella spallanzanii Gmelin 1791, was first detected in the Southern Hemisphere in the 1990s and is now abundant in many parts of southern Australia and in several locations around northern New Zealand. Once established, it can proliferate rapidly, reaching high densities with potential ecological and economic impacts. Early detection of new S.

Invasion Expansion: Time since introduction best predicts global ranges of marine invaders.

Strategies for managing biological invasions are often based on the premise that characteristics of invading species and the invaded environment are key predictors of the invader's distribution. Yet, for either biological traits or environmental characteristics to explain distribution, adequate time must have elapsed for species to spread to all potential habitats. We compiled and analyzed a database of natural history and ecological traits of 138 coastal marine invertebrate species, the environmental conditions at sites to which they have been introduced, and their date of first introduction.

Using temporal sampling to improve attribution of source populations for invasive species.

Numerous studies have applied genetic tools to the identification of source populations and transport pathways for invasive species. However, there are many gaps in the knowledge obtained from such studies because comprehensive and meaningful spatial sampling to meet these goals is difficult to achieve. Sampling populations as they arrive at the border should fill the gaps in source population identification, but such an advance has not yet been achieved with genetic data.

Using habitat suitability index and particle dispersion models for early detection of marine invaders.

Eradication and control of invasive species are often possible only if populations are detected when they are small and localized. To be efficient, detection surveys should be targeted at locations where there is the greatest risk of incursions. We examine the utility of habitat suitability index (HSI) and particle dispersion models for targeting sampling for marine pests.

Changes in the management of ductal carcinoma in situ before the release of clinical practice recommendations in Australia: the case in Victoria.

Background: This study examines changes in the management of ductal carcinoma in situ between 1995 and 1999 in the Australian State of Victoria. This period was before the release of Australian treatment recommendations.

Methods: All new cases of ductal carcinoma in situ diagnosed between 1 April and 30 September in 1995 and 1999 were identified from the population cancer registry.

Sensitivity and cost considerations for the detection and eradication of marine pests in ports.

Port surveys are being conducted in Australia, New Zealand and around the world to confirm the presence or absence of particular marine pests. The most critical aspect of these surveys is their sensitivity-the probability that they will correctly identify a species as present if indeed it is present. This is not, however, adequately addressed in the relevant national and international standards.

Secondhand smoke exposure and respiratory symptoms among casino, club, and office workers in Victoria, Australia.

Objective: To examine the association between smoke-free policies, exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) at work, and self-reported respiratory and sensory symptoms of workers.

Method: Ninety-one nonsmoking workers recruited from three workplaces with varying smoking policies completed a telephone-administered questionnaire and provided saliva samples (before and after usual work shift) for cotinine analysis.

Results: Mean before-after shift saliva cotinine per hour worked was significantly higher among club (0.

A risk-based predictive tool to prevent accidental introductions of nonindigenous marine species.

Preventing the introduction of nonindigenous species (NIS) is the most efficient way to avoid the costs and impacts of biological invasions. The transport of fouling species on ship hulls is an important vector for the introduction of marine NIS. We use quantitative risk screening techniques to develop a predictive tool of the abundance and variety of organisms being transported by ocean-going yachts.

The management of early breast carcinoma before and after the introduction of clinical practice guidelines.

Background: Clinical practice guidelines for the management of breast carcinoma were introduced in Australia in October, 1995. This article describes the management of early-stage breast carcinoma both before and after the introduction of these guidelines.

Methods: All cases of early breast carcinoma that were diagnosed over the same 6-month period in 1995 and 1999 and registered with a state-based cancer registry were identified.

Exposure to secondhand smoke at work: a survey of members of the Australian Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union.

Objective: To measure workers' attitudes towards and experiences of exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) in the workplace.

Method: A stratified random sample of members from the Victorian Branch of the Australian Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union (LHMU) was interviewed by telephone in September 2001. Of the 1,078 respondents surveyed (77% response rate), hospitality workers comprised 49% of the sample, while the remainder comprised community services, property services and manufacturing workers.

Association between exposure to workplace secondhand smoke and reported respiratory and sensory symptoms: cross-sectional study.

The purpose of this work was to assess the relation between exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) at work and reported respiratory and sensory symptoms. A cross-sectional telephone survey of 382 nonsmoking indoor workers in Victoria, Australia was used. After controlling for potential confounders, exposure to SHS at work for part of the day was significantly associated with an increased risk of wheeze (OR = 4.

Effects of Self-Guided Snorkeling Trails on Corals in a Tropical Marine Park.

Underwater trails are intended as interpretative tools in marine parks, but concentrating divers and snorkelers in defined areas may negatively affect the surrounding environment. We examined spatial and temporal patterns in the effects of use of underwater trails on coral reef flats in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia. Changes in benthic assemblages were assessed on two new trails used by snorkelers, two unused (control) trails, and two undisturbed areas.