How can we combat invasive alien species? First and foremost, we must raise awareness and prepare teams to address this critical issue for biodiversity in the overseas departments. This is the purpose of this collaboration between the major ports in the French Antilles and French Guiana region and the French Committee of the IUCN.
Strength in Unity
The major ports in the Antilles-Guyana region have signed an agreement with the French committee of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The goal? To preserve biodiversity as the threat of invasive species looms over the region’s ports. Ports serve as prime entry points into a territory—the places through which invasive species are likely to colonize a new ecosystem. To address this, government authorities are committing to new measures to combat invasive alien species.
Guadeloupe, Martinique, and French Guiana share a common and strategic position in the Caribbean region. «The major seaports of Guadeloupe, French Guiana, and Martinique are located at the crossroads of numerous shipping routes, and these territories are already affected by numerous biological invasions that threaten native species and ecosystems. Implementing preventive measures could therefore be a powerful tool for safeguarding natural environments,» explains Clara Singh of the French Committee of the IUCN in an announcement published on March 9, 2026.
Overseas EEA Network
Within the French IUCN Committee, the «Triple E Overseas» network is on the front lines in the fight against invasive alien species in overseas territories, which pose a real scourge and threat to biodiversity.
The signing of this cooperation agreement with the major ports of the Caribbean and French Guiana calls for the implementation of two main initiatives for the 2026–2027 period:
- A communications component involving the design of a variety of materials for cruise ship passengers, inter-island ferry passengers, shipowners, crews, port agents, and companies operating in ports
- Organizing a series of training sessions for port workers, shore-based and seagoing personnel, and other stakeholders
This cooperation «aligns […] with Measure 17 of the National Biodiversity Strategy 2030, and more specifically with Action 4, which aims to combat invasive alien species in port infrastructure and raise awareness among passengers and maritime transport companies,» adds Clara Singh. This is a first step toward raising awareness and preparing teams for the spread of invasive species before moving on to the next phase, which involves taking concrete physical measures to curb the introduction and spread of these species.
