Over the last ten years, marine invaders have had a dramatically increasing impact on temperate water ecosystems around the world. Substantial ecological and economical damage has been caused by the introduction of diseases, parasites, predators, invaders outcompeting native species, and species that are a nuisance for public health, tourism, aquaculture or in any other way. In the  SETL-project standardized PVC-plates are used to detect these invasive species and other fouling community organisms. The material and methods of the SETL-project were developed by the ANEMOON foundation in cooperation with the Smithsonian Marine Invasions Laboratory of Smithsonian Environmental Research Centre. In this project 14x14 cm PVC-plates are hung 1 meter below the water surface, and refreshed and checked for species at least every three months.

 For more information or further interests to participate in the SETL-project, please contact project coordinator: gittenberger@yahoo.com