Some examples of aquatic bio-invasions causing major impact are listed

in the table, but there are hundreds of other serious invasions which have
been recorded around the world: from IMO website 20 nov. 2007

Name Native to Introduced to Impact

Cholera Various strains with South America, Gulf of Some cholera epidemics appear to be directly
Vibrio cholerae (various broad ranges Mexico and other areas associated with ballast water
strains)
Cladoceran Water Flea Black and Caspian Baltic Sea Reproduces to form very large populations that
Cercopagis pengoi Seas dominate the zooplankton community and clog
fishing nets and trawls, with associated
economic impacts
Mitten Crab Northern Asia Western Europe, Baltic Undergoes mass migrations for reproductive
Eiocheir sinensis Sea and West Coast purposes. Burrows into river banks and dykes
North America causing erosion and siltation. Preys on native
fish and invertebrate species, causing local
extinctions during population outbreaks.
Interferes with fishing activities
Toxic Various species with Several species have May form Harmful Algae Blooms. Depending on
Algae(Red/Brown/ broad ranges been transferred to the species, can cause massive kills of marine
Green Tides) new areas in ships' life through oxygen depletion, release of toxins
Various species ballast water and/or mucus. Can foul beaches and impact on
tourism and recreation. Some species may
contaminate filter-feeding shellfish and cause
fisheries to be closed. Consumption of
contaminated shellfish by humans may cause
severe illness and death
Round Goby Baltic Sea and North Highly adaptable and invasive. Increases in
Neogobius America numbers and spreads quickly. Competes for
Black, Asov and
melanostomus food and habitat with native fishes including
Caspian Seas
commercially important species, and preys on
their eggs and young. Spawns multiple
times per season and survives in poor water
quality
North American Comb Eastern Seaboard of Black, Azov and Reproduces rapidly (self fertilising
Jelly the Americas Caspian Seas hermaphrodite) under favourable conditions.
Mnemiopsis leidyi Feeds excessively on zooplankton. Depletes
zooplankton stocks; altering food web and
ecosystem function. Contributed significantly to
collapse of Black and Asov Sea fisheries in
1990s, with massive economic and social
impact. Now threatens similar impact in Caspian
Sea.
North Pacific Seastar Northern Pacific Southern Australia Reproduces in large numbers, reaching 'plague'
Asterias amurensis proportions rapidly in invaded environments.
Feeds on shellfish,
including commercially valuable scallop,
oyster and clam species
Zebra Mussel Eastern Europe (Black Introduced to: Fouls all available hard surfaces in mass
Dreissena polymorpha Sea) Western and northern numbers. Displaces native aquatic life. Alters
Europe, including habitat, ecosystem and food web. Causes
Ireland and Baltic severe fouling problems on infrastructure and
Sea;eastern half of vessels. Blocks water intake pipes, sluices and
North America irrigation ditches. Economic costs to USA alone
of around
US$750 million to $1 billion between 1989 and
2000
Asian Kelp Northern Asia Southern Australia, Grows and spreads rapidly, both vegetatively
Undaria pinnatifida New Zealand, West and through dispersal of spores. Displaces
Coast of the United native algae and marine life. Alters habitat,
States, Europe and ecosystem and food web. May affect commercial
Argentina shellfish stocks through space competition and
alteration of habitat
European Green Crab European Atlantic Southern Australia, Highly adaptable and invasive. Resistant to
Carcinus maenus Coast South Africa, the predation due to hard shell. Competes with and
United States and displaces native crabs and becomes a dominant
Japan species in invaded areas. Consumes and
depletes wide range of prey species. Alters
inter-tidal rocky shore ecosystem