Invasive and Exotic Marine Species

Exotic species are animal or plant species moved from their original range (location) to a new one but are not yet reproducing in that new range.

Once enough individuals of an exotic species establish and begin to reproduce in the new range, it is considered an invasive species. 

Learn more about aquatic invasive species from NOAA's National Ocean Service

Find NOAA's latest news on aquatic invasive species

Aquatic invasive species are found throughout the world with very few exceptions. They are in wetlands, streams, rivers, bays, and along the coasts. They can also be found up to thousands of feet in depth.

In some regions of the United States, the problem is more severe than others. Florida, the Great Lakes, and the southern West Coast, for instance, are among the most heavily infested regions. These areas typically have a higher concentration of pathways for introduction (e.g., transportation hubs such as ports), are key locations for the ornamental trade, and/or their climates allow for invasive species to thrive.

Invasive fish, plants, and other species can lead to the extinction of native species, destroy biodiversity, and permanently alter habitats through both direct and indirect effects. This can result in huge economic impacts and fundamental disruptions of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

Invasive species may negatively affect native species due to direct interactions like predation and competition. Invasive species may not have natural predators in their new environment, or they may be able to outcompete native species for resources such as food, light, prey, and habitat. There may also be indirect consequences of new species introduction. For example, they can spread disease to and between native species. Often invasive species come from places with higher diversity and contain pathogens or diseases not found in the native species’ range. This can cause native species to be “more exposed” and vulnerable. Such diversity exposure is an advantage and might well-serve the new species in its invaded range.  

Without controls (e.g., check and balances) in their new range, invasive species populations can increase dramatically in a short period of time. This growth may reduce habitat quality, increase microbial exposures, lower biodiversity, and eventually impact fishery resources and protected species.

Invasive fish, plants, and other species are transported to new environments via vectors and pathways. 

Vectors are biological methods of transferring species such as an organism carrying a disease and transferring it directly to another—examples include mosquitoes, ticks, and even humans carrying the flu virus.

Pathways are non-biological methods of movement. This includes winds, hurricanes, ocean currents, and transportation via cargo ships. As ships move from port to port, ballast water may be loaded or released to maintain the ship’s level as it loads and unloads cargo. Any organisms in the ballast water are then transferred to new locations.

Intentional and accidental releases of aquaculture species, aquarium discards (e.g., releases), and releases of excess live bait are also common pathways of species introduction. In addition, aquatic aquaculture can often hyperconentrate a species that causes increases in pathogen problems (e.g., more than normal exposure) and can be a danger if the species is released into the environment.

Additionally, species coming in through the ornamental trade are often housed at many points along the distribution chain in open filtration systems. Along the way, they are exposed to other globally-sourced species with their own histories of pathogen exposure. Such systems by their nature can concentrate the cross-exposed bacteria, thus increasing the species ability to resist antibiotics and sharing that characteristic with other, now “unnaturally” neighboring bacteria via a process called conjugation. Because of these cumulative effects, any of these ornamental species released into the environment could result in harmful effects from the species level to an ecosystem level. This is a serious threat given the increase in invasive species related to marine ornamental trade.

NOAA is interested in assisting in observing, monitoring of newly found exotic species, and studying their effect on inshore habitats and commercially important fish species.

In cooperation with the U.S. Coast Guard, we established ballast water cooperative research and standards. NOAA is also involved in observing, monitoring, and mitigating invasive species in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey and REEF.

Never release a pet (fish or other animal) into the wild. Find an alternative.

Scuba divers and others can also help NOAA and our partners' research efforts. To report a sighting of lionfish or other invasive/exotic species, visit the U.S. Geological Survey's online reporting form. 

Learn more about invasive marine species:

• Alaska
• Southeast
• West Coast

What is an invasive species? Find out more from NOAA's National Ocean Service.