IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)

The ISSG is a network of global species on IAS. It facilitates the exchange of information and knowledge on IAS across the world and promotes linkages between knowledge, practice and policy to inform decision-making. The two core activity areas of the ISSG are policy and technical advice, and information exchange through online resources and tools and networking. ISSG is currently working with partners on a global initiative, the Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species (GRIIS) (site is under development), which is aimed at developing national-level validated, and annotated inventories of IAS. ISSG is also working with partners on to develop a prototype online resource IAS pathway management – the Invasive Alien Species Pathway Management Resource. It will include information on IAS pathways and legal information related to the management of specific pathways.

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Biofouling management for recreational boating (2022)

The report Biofouling Management for Recreational Boating: Recommendations for improved biosecurity to prevent the introduction and spread of Invasive Aquatic Species was written by William Jonathan Michael Yonge, Senior Consultant, Earth to Ocean, with contributions, editorial review, comments and inputs from Udo Kleinitz, Secretary General and Julian Hunter, Head of Sustainability, ICOMIA; Kevin Smith, Senior Programme Officer Biodiversity Data Impact and Influence, IUCN; Dan Reading, former Head of Sustainability and Alexandra Rickham, Head of Sustainability, World Sailing; Lilia Khodjet El Khil, Project Technical Manager; John Alonso, Project Technical Analyst, GloFouling Partnerships Project, the Department of Partnerships and Projects, IMO; and Teo Karayannis, Head of Marine Biosafety, Marine Environment Division, IMO. Great thanks are also due to Violeta Luque, Senior Project Assistant; and Jurga Shaule, Project Assistant, GloFouling Partnerships project, the Department of Partnerships and Projects, IMO, who provided coordination and editing support to produce this report.

Manual for the management of vertebrate invasive alien species of Union concern, incorporating animal welfare (2022)

Invasive alien species (IAS) have been identified as one of the most important direct drivers of biodiversity loss and change in ecosystem services. Several strategies have been developed and implemented (e.g. eradication, control, containment) yet prevention is unanimously acknowledged as the best available management option.

Guidelines and codes of conduct were developed to build awareness among the relevant professional sectors, prevent introduction of new IAS, the spread of those already established, and their ethical management.

IUCN resources on the prevention and management of IAS and pathways of introduction

The resources listed here, although hosted on external websites, were either produced by IUCN, or completed with the oversight of IUCN, and provide comprehensive and up-to-date information on the ways to prevent, manage and mitigate the impacts of IAS.

Beware of Aliens campaign by the EC

Invasive alien species (IAS) are a major threat to biodiversity, ecosystems, and the way we live.

The DG ENVIRONMENT of European Commission launched in 2022 an initiative to raise awareness on IAS amongst stakeholders and citizens, which entailed workshops in several EU countries and consensus on key messages. A package of information material was produced.

Here you can find posters, animations and other resources for raising awareness about IAS. Please download them for use to inform and educate people about biological invasions. We have also included a manual to guide you in communicating about this important issue. Thanks you for playing a part in increasing understanding of IAS!

Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species (GRIIS)

The Global Register of Invasive Species (GRIS) was developed as a concept and prototype by the IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) in 2006 as part of a project undertaken for the Defenders of Wildlife on the Regulation of Live Animal Imports into the United States.

The concept was revisited and expanded by the ISSG to address Aichi Biodiversity Target 9 and support its achievement- with the development of the Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species (GRIIS). GRIIS hosted by the ISSG compiles annotated and verified country-wise inventories of introduced and invasive species. Development and population of the GRIIS was undertaken by the ISSG within the framework of activities of the Information Synthesis and Assessment Working Group of the Global Invasive Alien Species Information Partnership (GIASIP).

A global register of competences for threatened species recovery practitioners

Competence frameworks are widely used in many professional sectors, helping to develop capacity by defining and recognising the required skills, knowledge and personal attributes. Registers of competences have been developed within the conservation sector. A global register of competences for threatened species recovery practitioners is a register of competences in the form of a directory of the possible skills, knowledge and personal attributes required by practitioners working in threatened species recovery programmes around the world, in both in-situ and ex-situ contexts. This register has the potential to transform approaches to capacity development within threatened species recovery and help improve the effectiveness of this branch of conservation. Its structure largely follows that of A global register of competences for protected area practitioners (Appleton, 2016).