The number of non-indigenous marine species in Portuguese waters has risen to 231, according to a new national inventory updated for the first time since 2015. The study confirms the presence of these invasive species in mainland Portugal, the Azores and Madeira, and includes five species never before recorded in the country.
The work was published in the journal Marine Pollution Bulletin and involved the collaboration of 31 researchers from 11 Portuguese universities and three public entities. This is the largest inventory ever carried out on invasive marine species in Portugal.
Invasive marine species represent a threat to coastal ecosystems and local biodiversity. The inventory update allows for better monitoring of the progression of these species and can help guide marine management and conservation policies.
