Ships Stranded in Gulf Pose Global Invasive Species Threat The recent closure of the Strait of Hormuz has stranded thousands of ships in the Gulf region, creating an ideal environment for the spread of invasive species worldwide.
According to researchers, biofouling – the accumulation of organisms on ship hulls and external surfaces – could lead to a "super spreader" event.
An estimated 1,500 vessels are stuck in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, increasing the risk of an ecological disaster.