The International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species

Travel Information - ICAIS On this page: Travelling to Belfast | Visas and documentation to enter Northern Ireland, UK | Travelling via European Union Countries | Getting to Queen’s University Belfast When planning your travel, please note that Northern Ireland is in the Unite

When planning your travel, please note that Northern Ireland is in the United Kingdom. Follow the link to learn about Travelling to Belfast, Visas and documentation to enter Northern Ireland, UK, and Getting to Queen’s University Belfast: bit.ly/4rOO8BI

An Evening at the Great Hall - ICAIS Step into an unforgettable evening at Queen’s University Belfast’s iconic Great Hall. Enjoy a three-course conference dinner, alongside coffee, tea, and wine, in one of Northern Ireland’s most sought-after venues. The Great Hall boasts a selection of

Register now! Step into an unforgettable evening at Queen’s University Belfast’s iconic Great Hall. Good food, Irish music, and the rich historic surroundings will make for a night full of networking and celebrating you won’t soon forget. bit.ly/46wu3aL

ICAIS 2026 Accommodations - ICAIS We are pleased to be able to arrange hotel group rates for ICAIS 2026 attendees. Be mindful of the cut-off dates and book prior to ensure the discounted rate. We will add more options as they become available! Please note that all prices shown below

Reminder to ICAIS 2026 attendees | Cutoff dates for hotel groups rates are approaching with most group rates ending in June or July 2026. Visit our website for more information and book soon to ensure a discounted rate: bit.ly/4pC7hoD

An Evening at the Great Hall - ICAIS Step into an unforgettable evening at Queen’s University Belfast’s iconic Great Hall. Enjoy a three-course conference dinner, alongside coffee, tea, and wine, in one of Northern Ireland’s most sought-after venues. The Great Hall boasts a selection of

Register now for an Evening Event at the Great Hall! ICAIS 2026 participants are invited to enjoy a conference dinner in one of Northern Ireland’s most sought-after venues, Queen’s University Belfast’s iconic Great Hall. Learn more and register: bit.ly/46wu3aL

Plenary Speaker Announcement | We are pleased to announce that Ian Duggan will be presenting ‘Mitigation trumps remediation: Lesson from research on vectors for the movement of freshwater invertebrates in New Zealand’ at ICAIS 2026.

Early Registration ends on March 31, 2026. There’s still time to take advantage of reduced fees. Learn more and register here: bit.ly/3J0O3JX

The first confirmed case of the highly invasive quagga mussel in Northern Ireland has been reported in Lower Lough Erne. The sighting was confirmed on 10 December following DNA analysis at Queen’s University Belfast. bit.ly/3OfQP0n

Research Highlight | In ‘Benefits of standardized surveys and data centralization: a case study using New York’s Watercraft Inspection Steward Program Application (WISPA)’ Haws et al. evaluate New York’s Watercraft Inspection Steward Program Application. bit.ly/4owFPIs 

ICAIS 2026 Accommodations - ICAIS We are pleased to be able to arrange hotel group rates for ICAIS 2026 attendees. Be mindful of the cut-off dates and book prior to ensure the discounted rate. We will add more options as they become available! Please note that all prices shown below

We are pleased to be able to arrange hotel group rates for ICAIS 2026 attendees including at the Europa Belfast, Holiday Inn Belfast City Centre, The Malone Boutique Hotel, and Queen’s University Belfast. Learn more about group rates and cutoff dates: bit.ly/4pC7hoD 

Field Tour - ICAIS Join us for a post-conference field tour: Aquatic Environments and Invasion Threats around Strangford Lough  Date: Friday, Aug. 28 Time: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Cost: £45 + VAT Following the ICAIS sessions at Queen’s University Belfast, delegates are invited

Are you attending ICAIS 2026? Register now for the ICAIS post-conference field tour: Aquatic Environments and Invasion Threats around Strangford Lough. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4qKVdSM

Join us for a post-conference field tour: Aquatic Environments and Invasion Threats around Strangford Lough. This tour centres on Strangford Lough, one of the most ecologically significant and invasion-sensitive aquatic inlets in the region. Learn more here: bit.ly/4qKVdSM

Are you interested in supporting the 24th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species? The co-hosts of ICAIS 2026 are seeking financial support from interested groups. Learn more about the various levels of support with associated benefits. bit.ly/3M1Vced

Research Highlight | In ‘Understanding practices and awareness of recreational anglers regarding invasive alien species to support the development of biosecurity campaigns’ Reniers et al. analyse the results of a survey conducted on anglers in Belgium. bit.ly/4pomsTb

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Emma Johnston. A valued member of the ICAIS community, Emma was a keynote speaker at ICAIS 2019 in Montreal, Canada. Our thoughts are with her loved ones during this difficult time.

The co-hosts of ICAIS 2026 are seeking financial support from interested groups. Explore partnership opportunities that include an exhibit space designed to maximize visibility, strengthen connections, and showcase your impact. Learn more: bit.ly/3M1Vced

Research Highlight | In ‘Implementation of the Ballast Water Management Convention: taking stock of progress and remaining challenges’ Bailey et al. review discussions at the ballast water workshop during ICAIS 2024. bit.ly/48htBgr

Special Issue | A special issue of Management of Biological Invasions includes applied papers presented at the 23rd International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, May 12–16, 2024. bit.ly/3LWhaPV

Register Now | The 24th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species will take place in Belfast Northern Ireland from August 23 – 27, 2026. Learn more: bit.ly/3J0O3JX

Plenary Speaker Announcement | We are pleased to announce that Tsungai Zengeya will be presenting ‘Aquatic invasions in South Africa: insights from national reports on the status of biological invasions and their management’ at ICAIS 2026.

Registration for the 24th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species is now open! Take advantage of the early registration discount by registering before March 31, 2026. Learn more: bit.ly/3J0O3JX

Abstracts for oral and poster presentations at ICAIS 2026 and applications for the Oyster Bursary Program are due today.

Submit your abstract: bit.ly/4lA49Ys

Apply for an Oyster Program Bursary: bit.ly/4kEniHV

1 Day Remains to submit abstracts for oral and poster presentations at ICAIS 2026. Follow the link to learn more and apply by September 26. bit.ly/4lA49Ys

3 Days Remain to submit abstracts for oral and poster presentations at ICAIS 2026. Follow the link to learn more and apply by September 26. bit.ly/4lA49Ys

Plenary Speaker Announcement | We are pleased to announce that Tammy Robinson-Smythe will be presenting ‘Research in support of conservation: Managing invasions in South African marine protected areas’ at ICAIS 2026.

Plenary Speaker Announcement | We are pleased to announce that David Dudgeon will be presenting ‘Global homogenization of freshwater fish diversity during the Anthropocene: evidence from tropical East Asia’ at ICAIS 2026.

Plenary Speaker Announcement | We are pleased to announce that Melodie A. McGeoch will be presenting ‘Governing biological invasions under rapid environmental change’ at ICAIS 2026.

Plenary Speaker Announcement | We are pleased to announce that Ana Nunes will be presenting ‘Tackling invasive alien species through policy support and stakeholder engagement’ at ICAIS 2026.

Plenary Speaker Announcement | We are pleased to announce that Frances Lucy will be presenting ‘Casting a glance in the rear-view mirror – how the ICAIS Series captures the ongoing development of aquatic invasive species research and management’ at ICAIS 2026.

ICAIS 2026 registration is open! 🌊 Join global experts in Belfast, Aug 23–27, for cutting-edge research, workshops & solutions on aquatic invasive species.
🔗 Register now: icais.org/icais-2026/r...

Economic costs of invasive carps in the United States: case study and management implications - Biological Invasions Biological invasions can have far-reaching impacts and incur enormous monetary costs. Economic considerations play an important role in management decision-making. We used the invasion of U.S. waterways by silver (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead (H. nobilis) carp as a case study of the costs of aquatic invasive species. Although these carps are well-known invaders, published reports on their economic costs are lacking. Our study included market values for commercial fisheries, non-market values for recreational fisheries, and management costs. Our results showed that by 2020, U.S. federal and state agencies had spent nearly $592 million in cumulative management costs. A difference-in-difference model testing for the effect of invasive carp on commercial harvest in invaded versus uninvaded reaches of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers showed no statistical significance. A benefit transfer analysis of invasion effects on total economic value of recreational fishing, an important ecosystem service, in a heavily invaded section of the Illinois River estimated a total loss of more than $10 million over 10 years. While there are other known impacts on ecosystem services, including alteration of aquatic food webs, plankton communities, and native fish communities, these could not be quantified in economic terms in our analysis.

New Research | The results of ‘Economic costs of invasive carps in the United States: case study and management implications’ by Brown et al., showed that by 2020, U.S. federal and state agencies spent nearly $592 million in management costs. Learn more: bit.ly/3HyyOHH