The International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species

Early Registration ends on March 31, 2026. There’s still time to take advantage of reduced fees. Learn more and register here: bit.ly/3J0O3JX

The first confirmed case of the highly invasive quagga mussel in Northern Ireland has been reported in Lower Lough Erne. The sighting was confirmed on 10 December following DNA analysis at Queen’s University Belfast. bit.ly/3OfQP0n

Research Highlight | In ‘Benefits of standardized surveys and data centralization: a case study using New York’s Watercraft Inspection Steward Program Application (WISPA)’ Haws et al. evaluate New York’s Watercraft Inspection Steward Program Application. bit.ly/4owFPIs 

ICAIS 2026 Accommodations - ICAIS We are pleased to be able to arrange hotel group rates for ICAIS 2026 attendees. Be mindful of the cut-off dates and book prior to ensure the discounted rate. We will add more options as they become available! Please note that all prices shown below

We are pleased to be able to arrange hotel group rates for ICAIS 2026 attendees including at the Europa Belfast, Holiday Inn Belfast City Centre, The Malone Boutique Hotel, and Queen’s University Belfast. Learn more about group rates and cutoff dates: bit.ly/4pC7hoD 

Field Tour - ICAIS Join us for a post-conference field tour: Aquatic Environments and Invasion Threats around Strangford Lough  Date: Friday, Aug. 28 Time: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Cost: £45 + VAT Following the ICAIS sessions at Queen’s University Belfast, delegates are invited

Are you attending ICAIS 2026? Register now for the ICAIS post-conference field tour: Aquatic Environments and Invasion Threats around Strangford Lough. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4qKVdSM

Join us for a post-conference field tour: Aquatic Environments and Invasion Threats around Strangford Lough. This tour centres on Strangford Lough, one of the most ecologically significant and invasion-sensitive aquatic inlets in the region. Learn more here: bit.ly/4qKVdSM

Are you interested in supporting the 24th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species? The co-hosts of ICAIS 2026 are seeking financial support from interested groups. Learn more about the various levels of support with associated benefits. bit.ly/3M1Vced

Research Highlight | In ‘Understanding practices and awareness of recreational anglers regarding invasive alien species to support the development of biosecurity campaigns’ Reniers et al. analyse the results of a survey conducted on anglers in Belgium. bit.ly/4pomsTb

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Emma Johnston. A valued member of the ICAIS community, Emma was a keynote speaker at ICAIS 2019 in Montreal, Canada. Our thoughts are with her loved ones during this difficult time.

The co-hosts of ICAIS 2026 are seeking financial support from interested groups. Explore partnership opportunities that include an exhibit space designed to maximize visibility, strengthen connections, and showcase your impact. Learn more: bit.ly/3M1Vced

Research Highlight | In ‘Implementation of the Ballast Water Management Convention: taking stock of progress and remaining challenges’ Bailey et al. review discussions at the ballast water workshop during ICAIS 2024. bit.ly/48htBgr

Special Issue | A special issue of Management of Biological Invasions includes applied papers presented at the 23rd International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, May 12–16, 2024. bit.ly/3LWhaPV

Register Now | The 24th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species will take place in Belfast Northern Ireland from August 23 – 27, 2026. Learn more: bit.ly/3J0O3JX

Plenary Speaker Announcement | We are pleased to announce that Tsungai Zengeya will be presenting ‘Aquatic invasions in South Africa: insights from national reports on the status of biological invasions and their management’ at ICAIS 2026.

Registration for the 24th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species is now open! Take advantage of the early registration discount by registering before March 31, 2026. Learn more: bit.ly/3J0O3JX

Abstracts for oral and poster presentations at ICAIS 2026 and applications for the Oyster Bursary Program are due today.

Submit your abstract: bit.ly/4lA49Ys

Apply for an Oyster Program Bursary: bit.ly/4kEniHV

1 Day Remains to submit abstracts for oral and poster presentations at ICAIS 2026. Follow the link to learn more and apply by September 26. bit.ly/4lA49Ys

3 Days Remain to submit abstracts for oral and poster presentations at ICAIS 2026. Follow the link to learn more and apply by September 26. bit.ly/4lA49Ys

Plenary Speaker Announcement | We are pleased to announce that Tammy Robinson-Smythe will be presenting ‘Research in support of conservation: Managing invasions in South African marine protected areas’ at ICAIS 2026.

Plenary Speaker Announcement | We are pleased to announce that David Dudgeon will be presenting ‘Global homogenization of freshwater fish diversity during the Anthropocene: evidence from tropical East Asia’ at ICAIS 2026.

Plenary Speaker Announcement | We are pleased to announce that Melodie A. McGeoch will be presenting ‘Governing biological invasions under rapid environmental change’ at ICAIS 2026.

Plenary Speaker Announcement | We are pleased to announce that Ana Nunes will be presenting ‘Tackling invasive alien species through policy support and stakeholder engagement’ at ICAIS 2026.

Plenary Speaker Announcement | We are pleased to announce that Frances Lucy will be presenting ‘Casting a glance in the rear-view mirror – how the ICAIS Series captures the ongoing development of aquatic invasive species research and management’ at ICAIS 2026.

ICAIS 2026 registration is open! 🌊 Join global experts in Belfast, Aug 23–27, for cutting-edge research, workshops & solutions on aquatic invasive species.
🔗 Register now: icais.org/icais-2026/r...

Economic costs of invasive carps in the United States: case study and management implications - Biological Invasions Biological invasions can have far-reaching impacts and incur enormous monetary costs. Economic considerations play an important role in management decision-making. We used the invasion of U.S. waterways by silver (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead (H. nobilis) carp as a case study of the costs of aquatic invasive species. Although these carps are well-known invaders, published reports on their economic costs are lacking. Our study included market values for commercial fisheries, non-market values for recreational fisheries, and management costs. Our results showed that by 2020, U.S. federal and state agencies had spent nearly $592 million in cumulative management costs. A difference-in-difference model testing for the effect of invasive carp on commercial harvest in invaded versus uninvaded reaches of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers showed no statistical significance. A benefit transfer analysis of invasion effects on total economic value of recreational fishing, an important ecosystem service, in a heavily invaded section of the Illinois River estimated a total loss of more than $10 million over 10 years. While there are other known impacts on ecosystem services, including alteration of aquatic food webs, plankton communities, and native fish communities, these could not be quantified in economic terms in our analysis.

New Research | The results of ‘Economic costs of invasive carps in the United States: case study and management implications’ by Brown et al., showed that by 2020, U.S. federal and state agencies spent nearly $592 million in management costs. Learn more: bit.ly/3HyyOHH

Reminder | We are accepting abstracts for oral and poster presentations for ICAIS 2026 until September 26, 2025. The conference theme is Transcending Boundaries. Follow the link to learn more about topics to be addressed and apply: bit.ly/4lA49Ys

Detecting aquatic plant transmission on floatplanes using computer vision - Biological Invasions Floatplanes are a staple mode of transportation in remote places around the world including Alaska. Their rudders are a known vector for transmitting aquatic vegetation such as Elodea spp. between wat...

New Research | In ‘Detecting aquatic plant transmission on floatplanes using computer vision’ Pragman et al. used mounted cameras and computer vision models to assess aquatic plant transmission via floatplanes. bit.ly/40wLVzj

Applications are open for ICAIS 2026 Oyster Program bursaries! These bursaries provide financial support to attend the conference, offering recipients a chance to advance their careers in AIS through networking & collaboration. Apply before Sept 26. bit.ly/4kEniHV

Speak in Belfast, Northern Ireland! | The hosts of ICAIS 2026 are accepting abstracts of oral and poster presentations until September 26, 2025. The conference theme is Transcending Boundaries. Click the link to learn more about topics to be addressed. bit.ly/4lA49Ys

The next ICAIS will take place in Belfast, Northern Ireland from August 23 – 27, 2026. Visit our website to learn more about attending this conference. bit.ly/ICAIS2022