Nationwide Marine INNS Surveys Across Irish Marinas

APEM Group was commissioned by Ireland’s National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to deliver a nationwide programme of marine invasive non‑native species (INNS) surveys across 23 marinas. This work builds on surveys completed by APEM in 2021 and forms a critical part of Ireland’s national approach to biodiversity protection, biosecurity, and the management of invasive species.

Project Summary

Marine INNS are a growing concern globally, driving biodiversity loss and creating ecological, social, and economic impacts. Understanding where these species occur, and how their presence changes over time, is essential for compliance with key EU biodiversity and invasive species legislation, including:

EU Invasive Alien Species Regulation (EU 1143/2014)
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC)
Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC)

APEM was appointed to repeat Rapid Assessment Surveys (RAS) at marinas across Ireland to identify marine INNS, assess abundance, and track changes. The findings will help NPWS strengthen management approaches, refine biosecurity planning, and meet regulatory obligations.

Floating marina pontoon with moored leisure vessels in an Irish harbour, showing access points and marina structures inspected during marine invasive non native species surveys. © National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS)

Marina in Ireland with pontoons and multiple moored leisure vessels, highlighting typical marina infrastructure surveyed as part of marine invasive non native species monitoring. © National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS)

Project Context

Marinas are recognised hotspots for the introduction and spread of invasive marine species due to vessel movement and the availability of suitable substrate for colonisation. Repeat monitoring is essential to detect new arrivals early and identify shifts in species distribution.

APEM’s most recent survey programme provided an updated national picture of marine INNS in Irish marinas. When compared to the 2021 baseline, the new dataset showed:

An increase in both the number and abundance of invasive species
The presence of 32 marine INNS, including 10 species from NPWS’s target list

This evidence base will support national decision-making and future policy development.

Key Stats

Survey coverage:

23 marinas surveyed across Ireland

Results:

32 marine INNS recorded

10 species from NPWS’s high-priority target list detected

Marine fouling community attached to a marina fender, showing invasive and native species colonising submerged equipment inspected during marine invasive non native species surveys. © National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS)

Project Challenges

Delivering a consistent, nationwide survey programme required flexibility and careful coordination. Key challenges included:

Gaining access permissions from multiple marina owners
Adjusting survey plans based on weather conditions
Managing restricted access to pontoons or degraded infrastructure
Conducting dynamic risk assessments at each site

Solution

The project brought together specialists from across APEM Group, combining the expertise of the INNS teams with the taxonomic proficiency of Marine BioLabs and the in‑country field knowledge provided by Aquafact.

The team applied the RAS methodology, inspecting submerged structures such as pontoons, ropes, and fenders for marine INNS. Samples were collected for laboratory analysis to confirm challenging identifications and ensure scientifically robust results.

While the survey approach followed established methods, the final report included recommendations for:

Enhanced monitoring
Improved biosecurity across marinas
Better management of INNS risks

‘‘

APEM Group delivered a high‑quality, scientifically robust survey programme that provides us with vital insight into the status and spread of marine invasive species across Ireland’s marinas. Their teams were flexible, professional, and collaborative throughout, ensuring consistent data collection despite challenging site conditions. The findings will directly support our national approach to biodiversity protection and help strengthen Ireland’s biosecurity measures into the future.

’’

- Marine invasive species samples collected from marina structures laid out in a tray with labelled sample jars and survey equipment, illustrating on site identification and laboratory sampling during Rapid Assessment Surveys. © National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS)

Close‑up of marine invasive non‑native species colonising submerged marina infrastructure, including encrusting organisms inspected during Rapid Assessment Surveys in Irish marinas. © National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS)

Additional Support

APEM’s collaborative and flexible approach ensured consistent data collection across diverse marina environments. Strict biosecurity protocols were implemented to prevent species transfer between sites, and the team raised awareness of marine INNS through professional engagement with marina users. This work provided NPWS with high-quality data to support regulatory compliance and long-term management planning.

Supporting National Biodiversity Protection

This project demonstrates APEM Group’s expertise in marine invasive species monitoring and our ability to support national regulators with robust scientific evidence. By providing early detection of INNS and clear insights into temporal and spatial shifts in species’ occurrence, APEM helps reduce future management costs, strengthen policy development, and protect Ireland’s native marine habitats.

For organisations interested in INNS monitoring, biosecurity planning, or marine ecology assessments, APEM offers specialist knowledge and deep technical capability.

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