Taxonomy Recognised As Fundamental To Marine Biosecurity

Dr. Gilianne Brodie

In recognition of the fundamental importance of taxonomy to marine biosecurity BioNET-INTERNATIONAL was invited to participate in the establishment of a Marine Biosecurity Education and Research Consortium sponsored and led by the Australian Maritime College's National Centre for Marine & Coastal Conservation. At its first meeting in Rosebud, Victoria, Australia funded by the Natural Heritage Trust of Australia the new Consortium has support from four core tertiary education providers - the Australian Maritime College, Victoria University of Wellington, Portland State University, the Smithsonian Environmental Research Centre.

BioNET-INTERNATIONAL was represented at this meeting by a consultant - their Pacific Islands regional Coordinator Dr Gilianne Brodie an invertebrate biologist with 25 years experience in tropical marine research and education programs. Other delegates included representatives from Biosecurity New Zealand, the Australian Department of Environment & Heritage, the Tropical Marine Science Institute at the University of Singapore and the Korean Ocean Research & Development Institute (SSRI). Additional organisations that were invited but unable to attend were the University of the South Pacific and the University of Chile.

It is hoped that BioNET presence at these meetings will facilitate a strong taxonomic component to any research, training or University educational curricula associated with this consortium in the future.