Non-native species risks to the Arctic

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The ICES Working Groups on Ballast and Other Shipping Vectors (WGBOSV) and Introduction and Transfers of Marine Organisms (WGITMO) have identified non-native species issues in the Arctic as an emerging priority. Few systematic biodiversity surveys have been conducted in the Arctic historically, thus we have little knowledge about the presence or impact of non-native species in this region. Global climate change and increased resource exploitation are expected to increase risk of non-native species introductions in the near future, by a variety of human-mediated and natural pathways. WGBOSV and WGITMO members have begun a variety of research projects to quantify risks of non-native species in the Arctic and to evaluate potential management strategies.