Quote:
Originally Posted by legion
So you are telling me that there is a significant difference between the ocean-going wildlife that surrounds islands like Maui and Kauai?
And don't TONS of ships from the mainland and Asia dock in Hawaii? I've always been under the impression that they are 100% dependent on shipping for food, fuel, finished goods, etc...
Edit: I'm not trying to put-down. The above is what I considered before posting this question.
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No, not the "ocean-going" wildlife - that is termed pelagic. This would involve near-shore wildlife (and plants) -- including their dispersal propagules, such as eggs, larvae etc. In addition, there are terrestrial organisms that can swim to a ship and stow away or attach. The Navy has hed hell with the brown tree snake which we think got onto cargo planes in WWII or soon afterwards and spread all over some other islands.
Frieghters are subject to extensive rules as well. BUT cargo can usually sit for awhile w/o complaining (allowing inspection, sanitization, etc.). Human ferry passengers will object if delayed. And, then can carry propagules on their person.
More people = more propagules = more risk.
ANd, sure the tourist thing is likely an issue. Nobody wants their culture swamped, their housing & land prices to sky rocket. Their favorite trails or eateries full of the unwashed...
In Wyoming, they hate seeing the Colorado people visit or move in.
In Oregon, it's Californians.
In the US it's Mexicans.
In Mexico, it's all those others from the countries to the south - I hear the Mexicans have very stringent immigration controls - deportation, etc.
But in any island ecosystem, species invasion is a very big problem.