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The principle of the integrated non-indigenous species (NIS) monitoring program should be “…Collect once, use many times…” to promote the collection, archiving and sharing of NIS monitoring data. In COMPLETE, clear recommendations will be given on new methods to be used in early detection of NIS or harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens (HAOP) as well as areas where biofouling monitoring should be conducted to decrease the risk of new invasions and to safeguard the valuable nature areas in the proximity of invasion hot spots.

The recommendations for HELCOM manual on non-indigenous species (NIS) monitoring will include tools and guidelines for the integration of several existing and developing surveys and approaches, which may provide information on NIS arrival, establishment and spread. These include routine HELCOM biological monitoring (HELCOM COMBINE), Port Biological Baseline Surveys JHP (HELCOM/OSPAR), HELCOM coastal fish monitoring, Baltic International Trawl Surveys (BITS), public observations, and rapid assessments of target HAOP, among others.