Marine ecosystem health and emerging threats to biodiversity

The WOAH Pacific Wildlife Health Network (PWHN) held its 7th meeting on the 14th November 2024. Representatives from Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, United States of America, SPC and WOAH attended the meeting.

The meeting included the following agenda points:

• The meeting focused on the topic of Marine Ecosystem Health and Emerging Threats to Biodiversity, selected by members of the network. The meeting featured two experts in this field who were invited to deliver presentations outlined below:
  • Thierry Work, of the U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Honolulu Field Station presented “The Grim Reaper can teach us valuable lessons about tropical marine ecosystem health”
  • Abraham Growcott, Principal Adviser Aquatic Biosecurity Surveillance at Ministry for Primary Industries, presented “Biosecurity and its role in aquatic ecosystem protection”
• The participants’ discussion and information exchange emphasised the importance of robust marine surveillance systems, highlighting their critical role in enhancing biosecurity measures and safeguarding the health of aquatic ecosystems.

The 8th meeting for the PWHN will be scheduled in 2025 with a topic chosen from ideas previously put forward by participants.

Banner (top) photo credit: Therry Work