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This Battler Series publication builds understanding about negative impacts of weeds in Pacific island contexts and supports the prioritisation of established, widespread weeds for management. This guide is based on training conducted by PRISMSS NENS Technical Lead Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research (MWLR), New Zealand. Tiffany Straza prepared the guide text; Lynley Hayes, Chris McGrannachan, and Quentin Paynter provided review. This publication is part of a collection of Battler guides on managing weeds in the Pacific region. For an introduction to biocontrol, read the Battler publication Use natural enemies to manage widespread weeds in the Pacific. For weeds present at low abundance, see Manage low-incidence priority weeds to conserve Pacific biodiversity.

The clean boats, clean ports framework is a Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service (PRISMSS) Protect our Islands (POI) initiative to enable countries to better secure international entry ports that are gateways to priority domestic destinations. This Battler Series publication supports the prevention of the spread of invasive species among islands within countries. The document outlines a flexible framework that recognises the diverse situations in Pacific island countries and territories and that capitalises on existing strengths, while highlighting achievable and aspirational targets. This publication is part of a collection of Battler guides on preventing the spread of invasive species in the Pacific region.

Sustainable financing is about gaining access to funding in a way that can continue permanently for all the work that needs to be done and, typically, that does not rely on grants. Those involved in conservation or environmental management know how important funding is and how much effort is involved in getting the funding needed for projects and activities. The task of getting money is usually the role of the director or manager of an organisation. In the case of government departments, this responsibility typically lies with the finance manager.

Invasive marine species are organisms that are introduced to parts of the world where they do not naturally occur and which have negative impacts on people, the environment, or resources. Negative impacts from invasive marine species include outcompeting native species and driving economic impacts, such as through the loss of commercial fisheries or aquaculture harvest. Not all non-native species are ‘invasive’. Non-native marine species can come from many taxonomic groups, such as fish, crabs, oysters, mussels, seaweeds, barnacles, or sponges.

We are a diverse bunch of people in the Pacific region, which spans about one third of the earth's surface and encompasses about half of the global sea surface. Natural enemies can be used to restore natural balance between weeds and the environment by introducing the enemies where they are needed.

Many invasive plants are successful by producing large numbers of seeds easily transported by wind, water and animals. However invasions are started almost exclusively through the actions of people.

Invasive species are leading driver of biodiversity loss in the Pacific. They impact ecosystem resilience, ecosystem services and the future ability to adapt to climate change.

A weed is any plant that is in the wrong place and requires action to reduce its effect on the economy, environment, human health or amenity. Weeds are also known as invasive plants.

The “Invasive Species Battler” series has been developed to share what we have learned about common invasive species issues in the region. They are not intended to cover each issue in depth but to provide information and case-studies that can assist you to make a decision about what to do next or where to go for further information.

The presence of invasive species generally leads to negative impacts, some perhaps irreversible, and the economic costs from the impacts and their management can be substantial and long-lasting. Efforts to understand the extent of damages caused by invasive species are slowly gaining momentum globally; however, in many countries, efforts are only beginning. This guide will assist Pacific island practitioners to use the costs that result from invasive species incursions to gain support to fund prevention, management, restoration, research and outreach. SPREP thanks James Stanford, Aaron Buncle, and Jarrod Troutbeck, who advised the development of this guide.