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Encapsulating yachts to manage the transfer of marine alien species

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2019.

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Main Author: Keanly, Catherine
Other Authors: Robinson-Smythe, Tamara
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University 2019
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access_status_str Open Access
author Keanly, Catherine
author2 Robinson-Smythe, Tamara
author_browse Keanly, Catherine
Robinson-Smythe, Tamara
author_facet Robinson-Smythe, Tamara
Keanly, Catherine
author_sort Keanly, Catherine
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv Stellenbosch University
description Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2019.
format Thesis
id oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/105679
institution Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:43:11.727Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
publishDate 2019
publishDateRange 2019
publishDateSort 2019
publisher Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
publisherStr Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
record_format dspace
source_str SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
spelling oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/105679 Encapsulating yachts to manage the transfer of marine alien species Keanly, Catherine Robinson-Smythe, Tamara Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Science. Dept. of Botany and Zoology. Marine ecosystem health Plastic coating Marina biological invasions Yachts -- Fouling UCTD Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2019. ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In marine systems, the introduction and spread of alien species occurs predominantly through shipping, with hull fouling a dominant vector. Vessel fouling is primarily managed through the application of antifouling paints. However, the most effective of these paints, those containing TBT, were banned in the early 2000s and no equally effective alternative has become commercially available. This study looked at the potential use of encapsulation, the wrapping of a structure in plastic to deprive fouling organisms of oxygen and food to ultimately cause their death, as a tool for managing hull fouling, with the aim of reducing the biosecurity risk posed by fouling on recreational yachts. The aims of this study were to: (1) assess encapsulation under laboratory conditions to determine a timeframe for encapsulation of yachts in the field, (2) test this timeframe in the field, and (3) provide guidelines for implementation of a national encapsulation programme. In the laboratory, ascidians, mussels and fouling communities were exposed to four treatments: an aerated control in seawater, encapsulation in seawater, aerated seawater with a 4% acetic acid solution and encapsulation in seawater with a 4% acetic acid solution. All organisms and communities in acetic acid died in 24 hours regardless of encapsulation, while in encapsulated seawater, mortality of all taxa occurred within three days. Due to the implications of disposing of acetic acid in the field, this treatment was not considered in the field experiments. An encapsulation berth was constructed and four yachts were encapsulated in the field before a storm destroyed the berth. Walkway pontoons were then encapsulated as proxies for yachts, providing an opportunity to consider the effect of high (80-100%) and low (30-50%) fouling cover on encapsulation. On average, yachts required 4.25 (± 0.5 SD) days for fouling biota to reach total mortality, while pontoons with high and low fouling cover required 3.7 (± 0.48 SD) days and 3.8 (± 0.42 SD) days respectively. Field tests showed that the three days suggested by laboratory experiments was not sufficient in the field. This likely reflects an unavoidable higher ratio of water to fouling biomass in encapsulation systems in the field. A national encapsulation program could be useful for addressing the biosecurity risk posed by foreign yachts entering South African waters. It is recommended that vessels be treated for five days at their port of entry. This could be aligned with customs processes that are already in place. Importantly, mortality of fouling biota should be confirmed before removal of the encapsulation system. It is concluded that the application of an evidence-based management approach will support continual improvement of this emerging technique, and under these circumstances, encapsulation has the potential to considerably reduce the biosecurity risk posed by yachts visiting South African harbours. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming Masters 2019-02-18T10:57:05Z 2019-04-17T08:07:56Z 2020-01-31T03:00:09Z 2019-03 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/105679 en Stellenbosch University iv, 69 leaves (some color), map application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
spellingShingle Marine ecosystem health
Plastic coating
Marina biological invasions
Yachts -- Fouling
UCTD
Keanly, Catherine
Encapsulating yachts to manage the transfer of marine alien species
title Encapsulating yachts to manage the transfer of marine alien species
title_full Encapsulating yachts to manage the transfer of marine alien species
title_fullStr Encapsulating yachts to manage the transfer of marine alien species
title_full_unstemmed Encapsulating yachts to manage the transfer of marine alien species
title_short Encapsulating yachts to manage the transfer of marine alien species
title_sort encapsulating yachts to manage the transfer of marine alien species
topic Marine ecosystem health
Plastic coating
Marina biological invasions
Yachts -- Fouling
UCTD
url http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/105679
work_keys_str_mv AT keanlycatherine encapsulatingyachtstomanagethetransferofmarinealienspecies