The National Introduced Marine Pest Information System (NIMPIS) is a central repository of information on the biology, ecology and the Australian distribution of over 100 marine pest species. It includes known marine pests that have been introduced to Australian waters and exotic marine pests that could be introduced in the future.

The NIMPIS database provides managers with information to assist in developing policies and implement responses to manage marine pests. Details on a marine pest's habitat, impacts, control measures and vectors may assist in reducing the likelihood of new introductions of invasive exotic marine species and managing risk of spread of marine pests already established in Australia.

The objectives of NIMPIS are to serve as:

• A repository of compiled information on introduced and exotic marine pests of relevance to Australia (including biology, management options and identification tools) necessary for the development of management responses.
• A national archive for surveillance information on introduced marine pests in Australia, provided directly by the jurisdictions (States and Northern Territory), to enhance access to that surveillance information and to allow managers to rapidly visualise surveillance data.
• An easily accessible web-based system that allows interested researchers and marine stakeholders (including the general public) ready access to accurate, up-to-date summary information on introduced and exotic marine species of relevance to Australia.

Searching

Species

You can search for a species using the taxonomic name, common name and known synonyms. Partial text searches will return a list of potential matches to select. Results are hyperlinked and will take the user directly to the species page selected.

You can also search on invasive status in Australia, taxonomic group and distribution.

Each species page contains key information on the species, Australian distribution map, photos and twelve tabs with further information. These are:

• General information: Provides an overview of the species taxonomic, identification and morphological characteristics.
• Reproduction and growth: Provides information regarding the species reproduction characteristics and habitat preferences.
• Feeding: Contains information on feeding habits and preferences of the species.
• Competitors: Known competitors of the species.
• Predators: Known predators of the species.
• Vectors: Information on the vectors capable of transporting the species.
• Impacts: Information on the environmental, economic, social and human health impacts.
• Controls: Contains information on potential control options for the species.
• Additional information: Contains further information on the organism not contained in the previous tabs.
• References: Lists the references used to collate the information in the previous tabs.

Surveillance

You can search surveillance records based on unique identifying code, organisation that owns the surveillance record, target species, jurisdiction and a date range. Partial text searches will return a list of potential matches to select. Results are hyperlinked and will take the user directly to the surveillance page selected.

Each surveillance page contains information in accordance with endorsed marine pest surveillance national minimum data standards. These are grouped under four themes, which are:

• General: Contains the unique identifier and organisation.
• Activity: Contains the date the activity was performed, the class of surveillance (active, passive or specific) and a description of the activity.
• Location: Contains information on the state or territory (Jurisdiction) the surveillance occurred in, the latitude and longitude, and a description of the location.
• Targets: Each surveillance record can have multiple target species, each consisting of a valid value for the type of unit which was observed, details of the unit, method of inspection, and the organisation that provided the diagnostic services to identify the target.

History

NIMPIS was originally developed by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in 2001. In 2009, the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment assumed responsibility for NIMPIS on behalf of the National System for the Prevention and Management of Marine Pest Incursions. In 2019, the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment reviewed and upgraded NIMPIS, through engaging the services of Spatial Intelligence. The redevelopment included rebuilding the database structure, updating the data including environmental and species information, and improving the webpage appearance and functionality.

Citing NIMPIS

DAWE 2021, National Introduced Marine Pest Information System, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. Canberra. Accessed [Example] 01-Jan-2021.

Further Information

General information on marine pests can be found at www.marinepests.gov.au.

Please contact us if you have any additional information on the records in the database, suggestions to make NIMPIS more useful or general questions.