Over 1,500 ships in the Persian Gulf risk spreading invasive species due to prolonged idling, warns scientists and recent studies.
More than 1,500 ships are currently idle in the Persian Gulf, with hundreds more in the Gulf of Oman, potentially triggering a global invasive species superspreader event, reported America's ABC News.
Scientists indicate that prolonged closures of the Strait of Hormuz are increasing biofouling risks as marine organisms attach themselves to stationary vessels.
The Strait of Hormuz has faced repeated disruptions since the war with Iran began in February. This critical waterway carries about 20 percent of the global oil supply, according to the US Energy Information Administration. Continued blockages could facilitate the spread of invasive species worldwide as ships eventually resume travel.
A paper published in Biological Invasions has warned that microorganisms, algae, plants, and invertebrates accumulate on hulls during extended idle periods. Mario Tamburri, the lead author and a marine ecologist at the University of Maryland, stated that once invasive species establish themselves, they are nearly impossible to eradicate.
Mr. Tamburri cited zebra mussels as a pertinent example. Native to the Caspian and Black Seas, they spread rapidly in the Great Lakes during the 1980s and are now present in US rivers and on the West Coast. Ecologists have struggled to contain them for decades.
Ships are typically coated with anti-fouling paint to prevent growth; however, these coatings lose their effectiveness when vessels remain stationary for long periods. A similar biofouling phenomenon was observed during the Covid-19 pandemic when ships were stalled worldwide.
The US resumed its naval blockade of Hormuz last week after Iran fired on oil tankers. Scientists warn that the current mass idling of ships could accelerate the spread of invasive species through global shipping networks once traffic resumes.