A risk analysis of Australia's marine ornamental supply chain focusing on biosecurity (release, disease, and pathogen) concerns

Around the world, organisms are moved from one location to another, unintentionally or intentionally, through their own means of movement or by relocation by other organisms. The movements of these organisms pose risks to their new environments and the management of these risks are the focus of biosecurity. Marine ornamental organisms are a group of these relocated organisms, that are intentionally moved around the world for the purposes of being sold to hobbyists and public displays as part of the Global Marine Aquarium Trade (GMAT). The GMAT is a network of people and businesses that all play a part in the global supply chain for marine ornamental organisms. Australia’s role in this supply chain is typically that of an exporter; shipping native and endemic invertebrates and vertebrates out of the country; however, Australia also imports marine ornamental vertebrates from other countries for the Australian Marine Aquarium Trade. In the past, aspects of the Australian marine aquarium supply chain have been analysed for the purposes of the pre-border biosecurity risks, and to estimate the value of the marine aquarium trade in Australia, yet little is known about the post-border Australian marine ornamental supply chain, how the organisms move through the network of businesses and hobbyists, and the release and epidemiological biosecurity risks associated with their movements and potential release.