An overview of risk assessment in a marine biosecurity context

Our ability to manage the variety of human induced stresses in the marine environment is hampered by limited resources, a lack of fundamental knowledge and the absence of appropriate tools (Lubchenco et al. 1991; Norse 1993). This is particularly true when faced with introduced marine species. Structured and transparent evaluation techniques that both determine and justify management decisions are needed to effectively deal with introduced marine species in both an ecological and socio-political sense (as discussed by Hewitt et al., Chap. 33). Coupling this need with knowledge, resource and data limitations has led decision makers and management to use risk assessment as a means to direct their actions.