This update provides guidance on IAS management, emphasising:
Prevention first: prioritising strategies that prevent the introduction and spread of IAS are essential to avoid or minimise negative impacts to biodiversity, businesses, public health and reduce costs.
Effective IAS management: develop and implement robust plans that identify, minimise, record and report IAS risks and occurrences. It is important that high risk IAS pathways such as via ballast and biofouling in shipping, are properly defined to identify and implement appropriate management activities.
Collaboration and stakeholder engagement: enhancing coordination between environmental agencies, relevant industries and stakeholders to develop effective management plans.
The guidance covers IAS management for different project phases, from exploration to decommissioning, for both onshore and offshore oil, gas and renewables projects, which each have their own specific activities, pathways and measures linked to IAS. New case studies are included throughout the guidance to demonstrate the industry’s effort in IAS management.
Looking ahead, the guidance highlights the potential of emerging technologies, from environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis to advanced surveillance systems. Leveraging new technologies provide new opportunities to prevent, minimise and reduce the spread of IAS.
We thank Fauna and Flora and the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) for their contributions and expertise in the review of this guidance.
This is an update of the 2010 Ipieca-IOGP 'Alien invasive species and the oil and gas industry' guidance.