Outcomes of the LIFE INVASAQUA project: An integrated approach for the prevention and awareness of aquatic invasive species in the Iberian Peninsula

377 Outcomes of the LIFE INVASAQUA project: An integrated approach for the prevention and awareness of aquatic invasive species in the Iberian Peninsula Celia López-Cañizares1, Rosa Olivo del Amo1, Antonio Guillén-Beltrán1, Mar Torralva1, Pedro Anastácio2,3 , Filipe Banha3, Pedro Brandão3, Sandra Barca4, Fernando Cobo4, Rufino Vieira-Lanero4, Frederic Casals5,6 , Jorge R. Sánchez-González5,6 , Anabel Perdices7, Annie Machordom7, Rafael Miranda8, Javier Oscoz8, Catherine Numa9, Helena Clavero-Sousa9, Lourdes Lázaro-Marín9, Filipe Ribeiro10 , Francisco J. Oficialdegui1,11 , José M. Zamora-Marín1,12 , Francisco J. Oliva-Paterna1 1 Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Biology, University of Murcia, CEIR Campus Mare Nostrum (CMN), Murcia, Spain 2 Department of Landscape, Environment and Planning, University of Évora, Évora, Portugal 3 MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, University of Évora, Évora, Portugal 4 Laboratory of Hydrobiology, Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain 5 Department of Animal Science, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain 6 Centre de Ciència i Tecnologia Forestal de Catalunya (CTFC), Lleida, Solsona, Spain 7 Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, CSICNational Museum of Natural Sciences, Madrid, Spain 8 Instituto de Biodiversidad y Medioambiente (BIOMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain 9 IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation, Málaga, Spain 10 MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal 11 South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Vodňany, Czech Republic 12 Department of Applied Biology, Centre for Agri-Food Research and Innovation (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University, Elche, Spain Corresponding authors: Celia López-Cañizares ([email protected]); Francisco J. Oliva-Paterna ([email protected]) Copyright: © Celia López-Cañizares et al. This is an open access article distributed under terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (Attribution 4.0 International – CC BY 4.0). Project Description Abstract Invasive alien species (IAS) pose a growing threat to biodiversity, ecosystem services and human well-being, particularly in aquatic ecosystems worldwide. These species lead to severe environmental and economic impacts by altering habitats, disrupting ecological processes and outcompeting native species. In the Iberian Peninsula, IAS represent a major risk to its unique freshwater and estuarine ecosystems, which are particularly vulnerable to biological invasions due to their connection to human activities and high number of endemic species. Awareness of IAS and their impacts among the general public and stakeholders in Spain and Portugal remains limited, hindering effective management strategies and policies. The LIFE INVASAQUA project (2018–2023), co-funded by the LIFE Programme of the European Commission (LIFE17 GIE/ES/000515), aimed to support management, communication and the dissemination of information on aquatic IAS in the Iberian Peninsula. To achieve this, diverse partners were involved, including universities, research institutions, an environmental news agency and NGOs. Key actions included the production of governance tools such as strategic recommendations and IAS priority lists and communication resources such as a traveling exhibition for the public and codes of conduct for stakeholders. The project delivered 98 training activities to over 2,900 participants and engaged more than 430 institutions and 246,000 people through 598 public events in Spain and Portugal. LIFE INVASAQUA significantly enhanced public awareness and transnational collaboration, evidenced by improved communication, increased social media engagement, and positive shifts in public perception, as revealed by 7,078 records of a survey Academic editor: Ana Novoa Received: 6 February 2025 Accepted: 16 May 2025 Published: 7 October 2025 NeoBiota 102: 377–397 (2025) DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.102.148744 Advancing research on alien species and biological invasions A peer-reviewed open-access journal NeoBiota 378 NeoBiota 102: 377–397 (2025), DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.102.148744 Celia López-Cañizares et al.: LIFE INVASAQUA outcomes: Preventing and raising awareness of aquatic IAS based on a questionnaire on the Iberian public’s perspectives. These outcomes foster strengthened IAS management frameworks and support implementation of relevant European and national regulations. The project’s long-term efforts focus on developing and replicating actions with the greatest audience reach and the highest impact on public perception of IAS issues. Lessons learned include the importance of sustained public engagement, the need for continued stakeholder collaboration, and the effectiveness of integrating educational campaigns with policy enforcement for sustained success in IAS management. Key words: Biological invasions, communication, freshwater systems, governance, public engagement, transnational management Introduction Biological invasions occur when species introduced beyond their natural ranges negatively affect biodiversity and ecosystem services, acting as a driver of global change with ecological, health and economic impacts (Diagne et al. 2021; IPBES 2023). Human activities such as globalization and habitat alteration influence their rapid spread (Seebens et al. 2017; Hulme 2021), while climate change creates favourable conditions for their establishment (Gallardo et al. 2018). Europe has witnessed a rapid increase in IAS introductions over the last five decades, and projections foresee a 64% increase by 2050 (Seebens et al. 2021). Type and severity of impacts are unevenly distributed across Member States (MS) and biogeographic regions, with areas such as the Iberian Peninsula facing heightened vulnerabilities. This is due to its high freshwater and estuarine endemicity, varied environmental gradients and type of ecosystems and its connection to humans’ activities that favours IAS establishment (Muñoz-Mas and García-Berthou 2020; Oficialdegui et al. 2023a). The Regulation EU 1143/2014 on IAS (EU Regulation on IAS) emphasises the need for harmonised efforts to prevent IAS introductions, establish surveillance systems, and implement effective management. This requires robust transnational collaboration, as their impacts often extend beyond national boundaries. Coordination among governments, international entities, NGOs, and local stakeholders is essential to tackle fragmented management practices and implement cohesive strategies. Early stakeholder engagement during the planning and execution phases fosters shared responsibility, enhances monitoring efforts, and facilitates the exchange of best practices across regions. Integrated actions, legislation and sound governance frameworks are essential for achieving meaningful progress in IAS management (Magliozzi et al. 2024). Inland waters are particularly vulnerable to biological invasions due to their high connectivity with human activities, which facilitates the introduction and spread of IAS through pathways such as angling, recreational boating, and the pet trade (Nunes et al. 2015; Hulme 2021). These ecosystems are also frequently altered by anthropogenic pressures, including water regulation, pollution, and habitat fragmentation, further increasing their susceptibility to new species arrivals. As a result, IAS have become one of the primary threats to endemic aquatic biodiversity, leading to declines in native species and alterations in ecosystem structure and functions (Gallardo et al. 2016; Flood et al. 2020; McFadden et al. 2023). The Iberian Peninsula harbours unique freshwater and estuarine ecosystems increasingly threatened by biological invasions, which are exacerbated by intensive human activity, habitat degradation, and climate change. In particular, Citation: López-Cañizares C, Olivo del Amo R, Guillén-Beltrán A, Torralva M, Anastácio P, Banha F, Brandão P, Barca S, Cobo F, Vieira-Lanero R, Casals F, Sánchez-González JR, Perdices A, Machordom A, Miranda R, Oscoz J, Numa C, Clavero-Sousa H, LázaroMarín L, Ribeiro F, Oficialdegui FJ, Zamora-Marín JM, OlivaPaterna FJ (2025) Outcomes of the LIFE INVASAQUA project: An integrated approach for the prevention and awareness of aquatic invasive species in the Iberian Peninsula. In: Anastácio P, Ribeiro F, Chainho P (Eds) Invasions in Aquatic Systems. NeoBiota 102: 377–397. https://doi.org/10.3897/ neobiota.102.148744 379 NeoBiota 102: 377–397 (2025), DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.102.148744 Celia López-Cañizares et al.: LIFE INVASAQUA outcomes: Preventing and raising awareness of aquatic IAS a high number of endemic Iberian aquatic species are vulnerable to competition, predation, and habitat alteration caused by IAS (Doadrio 2001; Cruz and Rebelo 2005; Verdú et al. 2011; Ruiz-Navarro et al. 2013; Boieiro et al. 2023; Magalhães et al. 2023). While the global economic costs of IAS amount to US$345 billion (Cuthbert et al. 2021), this burden reaches US$140.20 billion across European countries (Haubrock et al. 2021). In Spain, the economic costs associated with IAS between 1997 and 2022 amounted to €232 million (Angulo et al. 2021), which includes, for example, €50 million spent on controlling the water hyacinth Pontederia crassipes (=Eicchornia crassipes) in the Guadiana River basin (MITECO 2019, Spain) (https://www.miteco.gob.es/en/biodiversidad/publicaciones/pbl_fauna_flora_estrategia_camalote.html), while in Portugal, the economic costs reached US$7.89 billion. However, costs distribution and updated available information are uneven across countries, regions and species (Angulo et al. 2021; Haubrock et al. 2021). Given that major watersheds are shared between Spain and Portugal, joint governance and transnational cooperation are essential to ensure cohesive and effective management strategies. Both countries face common challenges in managing IAS, including low public awareness, lack of knowledge on government interventions, poor coordination among management authorities and limited funding (Oliva-Paterna et al. 2022). The implementation of the EU Regulation on IAS is anchored in national frameworks in both countries, including the Spanish IAS catalogue (Real Decreto 630/2013) and the Portuguese National List of IAS (Decreto Lei 92/2019). Moreover, Spain is divided into 17 Autonomous Regional Communities with different policies towards IAS and wildlife management, increasing the legal disparities within the country and between countries. Despite these legislative efforts, achieving the regulation’s objectives at the national level requires stronger collaboration among administrative agencies and policy makers, NGOs, and stakeholders. In addition, scattered scientific data and technical knowledge exacerbate these challenges (Oficialdegui et al. 2023a; Zamora-Marín et al. 2023). The general public tend to underestimate IAS threats, especially for species without apparent socioeconomic impacts, which further delays policy adoption and reinforces misconceptions about IAS management (Banha et al. 2017, 2022). Successfully implemented European initiatives such as the LIFE ASAP (Cogoni et al. 2017), AlienScenarios (Essl et. al 2019), InvasiBES (Gallardo et al. 2019), and LIFE ARTEMIS (de Groot et al. 2020) projects underscored the critical role of collaborative efforts in addressing IAS across Europe. These initiatives highlighted the importance of updating available information on IAS distribution and the key areas where further communication efforts should be prioritised to improve the effectiveness of management. The knowledge gained through these experiences emphasises that no single country can tackle biological invasions alone and that cross-border partnerships are essential to address biological invasions. These collaborative projects established principles of replicability for management and communication efforts in other European countries (Roura-Pascual et al. 2024). Their positive impact is evident in emerging initiatives as the LIFE PREDATOR (De Santis et al. 2024) and GuardIAS (Katsanevakis et al. 2024) projects designed to test updated approaches for IAS management and stakeholders’ involvement through innovative tools, such as environmental DNA (eDNA), artificial intelligence, nanotechnology and citizen science (Banha et al. 2017; Coya et al. 2025). 380 NeoBiota 102: 377–397 (2025), DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.102.148744 Celia López-Cañizares et al.: LIFE INVASAQUA outcomes: Preventing and raising awareness of aquatic IAS In the Iberian Peninsula, the LIFE INVASAQUA project (2018–2023) emerged in response to a pressing need: addressing the persistent challenges posed by aquatic IAS in the shared ecosystems, where isolated national efforts are insufficient. Furthermore, the project aimed to bridge crucial gaps in updated knowledge and capacity building by equipping environmental managers, policymakers, and the general public with essential resources for IAS prevention and management. Objectives, scope and partnerships LIFE INVASAQUA (period 2018–2023) was a European Environmental Governance and Information project co-funded by the LIFE Programme of the European Commission. The project addressed the challenges posed by aquatic IAS in the freshwater and estuarine ecosystems of the Iberian Peninsula aiming at improving awareness, governance and management strategies to mitigate the impacts of these IAS. The main objectives of LIFE INVASAQUA were to: (1) provide support and enable the implementation of the EU Regulation on IAS by creating synergies between scientists and managers; (2) increase stakeholder response capacity and awareness of the threats posed by aquatic IAS through extensive communication and training efforts aiming at enhancing early warning and rapid response (EWRR) mechanisms; and (3) raise awareness among the general public about the threats caused by aquatic IAS through a mass communication campaign (Fig. 1). The project actions framework was designed to strengthen research, promote knowledge transfer and engage stakeholders at both national and transnational levels, thereby ensuring a coordinated approach to IAS management. It targeted a wide range of stakeholders, including public administration officials, environmental managers, surveillance agents, researchers, NGOs, and key user groups such as recreational anglers and water sports practitioners. It also engaged the general public through education and awareness campaigns. LIFE INVASAQUA brought together a multidisciplinary consortium from Spain and Portugal, including four Universities, a national museum, three NGOs and an international communication agency (Fig. 1). All partners were involved in a wide range of project actions, promoting collaboration and synergies amongst them, including public dissemination activities. For example, the universities of the consortium and the Iberian Society of Ichthyology (SIBIC) focused on knowledge transfer and governance initiatives by developing IAS prioritisation lists and strategic management guidelines. The consortium NGOs focused on public engagement activities such as citizen science initiatives, volunteering and educational activities. The Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN-CSIC) played a key role in targeting the general public by implementing a travelling exhibition and also supporting training actions for stakeholders. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN-Med) also promoted the transferability and replication plan while EFE Verde communication agency was mainly in charge of developing and implementing the communication strategy. In addition, 30 pre-established agreements were set with a wide range of entities, such as private companies, consultancies and diverse NGOs to ensure stakeholder collaboration, fostering a unified response and facilitating the exchange of best practices in IAS management. The project was funded by a total budget of 3,075,139 € (59.99% co-funded by the LIFE Programme of the European Commission). 381 NeoBiota 102: 377–397 (2025), DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.102.148744 Celia López-Cañizares et al.: LIFE INVASAQUA outcomes: Preventing and raising awareness of aquatic IAS Figure 1. Framework of the LIFE INVASAQUA project. At the top, the project logo is displayed followed by the University of Murcia (coordinator) and beneficiaries’ logos: the Iberian Society of Ichthyology (SIBIC), the University of Santiago de Compostela, IUCN - Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation (UICN-Med), the Portuguese Association for Environmental Education (ASPEA), the University of Navarra, the University of Évora (UEV) together with the Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE), EFE news agency (EFE Verde section) and the National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN-CSIC). Those are followed by the logos of the supporting entities (Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge – Fundación Biodiversidad and the Government of Navarra). The connections between the specific objectives and Work Packages (WPs) are shown below, highlighting the leading partner for each WP. Structure and approach The project was organised into six Work Packages (WPs) (Fig. 1), each designed to address a specific aspect of IAS management in the Iberian Peninsula. This structure ensured a comprehensive approach, combining governance, training of relevant key groups, awareness, scientific innovation, and stakeholder engagement. The coordination between partners allowed for the efficient execution of activities, from developing strategic tools and educational campaigns to fostering transnational cooperation. By systematically organizing its actions, LIFE INVASAQUA achieved impactful and sustainable outcomes, setting a benchmark for future IAS management initiatives. 382 NeoBiota 102: 377–397 (2025), DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.102.148744 Celia López-Cañizares et al.: LIFE INVASAQUA outcomes: Preventing and raising awareness of aquatic IAS Key actions, milestones and results The University of Murcia led the project, facilitating communication and collaboration among all partners and overseeing project activities. It also included efficient administrative and financial management, ensuring the optimal use of project resources, with comprehensive budget tracking and timely submission of financial reports. A robust framework of metrics and indicators developed within WP5 (Fig. 1) was implemented to evaluate the effectiveness of the project’s actions and to adapt audiences and strategies when necessary. Key elements included setting baseline indicators (e.g. number of participants engaged and materials distributed), conducting continuous monitoring through the project survey based on questionnaire and final reporting to evaluate the project reach and impact (Oliva-Paterna et al. 2024a, 2024b). This framework comprehensively covered public awareness, stakeholder engagement, communication strategies and the adoption and use of management tools. More than 7,000 questionnaires were analysed to assess changes in public perception and understanding of IAS impacts on biodiversity, socioeconomics and human health. Specific information on the design, structure and formulation of questions of the survey is detailed in the preliminary assessment study developed by the project (Banha et al. 2022). An additional young people´s version of the survey (shortened and simplified) was prepared specifically for school students and specific information on this version is detailed in Ruiz-Navarro et al. (2023). Overall participation and engagement metrics of the project exceeded expectations, with more than 246,000 people attending 598 events, and direct engagement of 432 institutions including public administrations, NGOs, and educational entities. Support in the implementation of the EU Regulation on IAS Key management tools (Table 1) were developed within WP2 aimed to enhance governance frameworks for managing IAS in the Iberian Peninsula and to provide updated, science-based information to support decision-making and policy implementation. This included the development of an updated inventory of 326 aquatic IAS recorded in Iberian inland waters, including 215 taxa with clearly established populations (Oliva-Paterna et al. 2021a; Zamora-Marín et al. 2023). Moreover, the project also compiled a list of 272 taxa that had not yet been recorded in Iberian inland waters but show high risk of invasion in the coming years (Oliva-Paterna et al. 2021b). This effort, based on expert input and scientific literature, highlighted the rapid increase of IAS introductions, particularly in the last two decades (Zamora-Marín et al. 2023). Through a transnational horizon scanning exercise, scores were assigned to IAS following various criteria (e.g., invasiveness, impacts, management difficulty and acceptability) to develop the "Black List and Alert List of the Aquatic Invasive Alien Species of the Iberian Peninsula" (Oliva-Paterna et al. 2022; Oficialdegui et al. 2023a), which included 126 species of concern already established in Iberian inland waters, such as Cyprinus carpio (common carp) and Procambarus clarkii (red swamp crayfish), and 89 potential aquatic invaders, including Dreissena rostriformis bugensis (quagga mussel) and Cabomba caroliniana (Carolina fanwort) (Oficialdegui et al. 2023a). The inventories provided a solid foundation for effective future surveillance systems, supported by scientific consensus and promoting coordinated efforts in shared transnational regions. 383 NeoBiota 102: 377–397 (2025), DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.102.148744 Celia López-Cañizares et al.: LIFE INVASAQUA outcomes: Preventing and raising awareness of aquatic IAS Table 1. List of the governance tools generated by the LIFE INVASAQUA project and web links. LIFE INVASAQUA governance tools Link Updated list of the aquatic alien species introduced and established in Iberian inland waters. (Oliva-Paterna et al. 2021a). https://www.miteco.gob.es/content/dam/miteco/ es/biodiversidad/temas/conservacion-de-especies/ listadeespeciesexoticasacuaticasdelapeninsulaiberica_tcm30-529356.pdf Updated list of the potential aquatic alien species with high risk of invasion in Iberian inland waters. (Oliva-Paterna et al. 2021b). https://lifeinvasaqua.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/TR2_Invasaqua_ ING_PDF_interact.pdf Black List and Alert List of the aquatic invasive alien species of the Iberian Peninsula – Horizon scanning exercise focused on the high-risk aquatic invasive alien species for the Iberian inland waters. (Oliva-Paterna et al. 2022). https://lifeinvasaqua.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/TechRepp_3_ INVASAQUA_Complet_ING.pdf Strategic recommendations for the transnational management of invasive alien fish in Iberian inland waters. (Oliva-Paterna et al. 2023). https://lifeinvasaqua.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023_ StrategicRecommendations_Fish_Final_WEB-1.pdf Strategic recommendations for the transnational management of invasive alien crayfish and crabs in Iberian inland waters. (Oficialdegui et al. 2023b). https://lifeinvasaqua.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TECHINICALREPORT-CANGREJOS-ingles-para-WEB.pdf Invasive Alien Species web platform https://eei.sibic.org/ The project also generated the "Invasive Alien Species web platform" (https:// eei.sibic.org/) to support monitoring and Early Warning and Rapid Response (EWRR) frameworks, facilitating decision-making and enabling data sharing with the European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN). This tool reached 1,242 users and 5,012 unique visits at the end of the project (October 2023), and included more than 20,000 geo-referenced records on the monitoring of approximately 200 IAS taxa. It also facilitated data sharing in the official languages of Spain and Portugal. Strategic recommendations for the transnational management of targeted invasive taxa, such as fish (Oliva-Paterna et al. 2023), crayfish, and crabs (Oficialdegui et al. 2023b), were conceptualized, developed and distributed among competent authorities to address shared challenges in Iberian inland waters. These recommendations were developed through a participatory process involving experts, and aimed at strengthening cooperation between Spanish and Portuguese authorities, thus promoting the transnational management and ensuring coordinated actions between Spain and Portugal. International events and workshops were promoted among Spanish, Portuguese and European competent authorities, managers and projects to disseminate the outputs and be involved in its use and promotion. These events enhanced understanding of IAS-associated issues, facilitated the integration of project outputs into national policies, and promoted a unified response to the IAS threat. Specific actions on knowledge transferability and replicability and dissemination to the public (Fig. 1) such as the development of the IBERMIS platform (https://ibermis.org/) and the project website (http://www.lifeinvasaqua.com/) ensured that resources generated were also accessible online. This aimed at being easily replicable by other entities and projects and that the contents could be updated according to priority changes in biological invasions. The "Exchange of Experiences on Invasive Alien Species Projects in Europe" workshop, hosted in Malaga in May 2023, facilitated the sharing of lessons learned from ongoing and recently finished LIFE projects and other European initiatives. This event highlighted the importance of strengthening synergies among projects to improve IAS management practices across borders. In Brussels, we organized the "Addressing IAS in Europe: The relevance of transnational cooperation and the stakeholder engagement", a high-profile event in collaboration with the European Commission that showcased the outcomes 384 NeoBiota 102: 377–397 (2025), DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.102.148744 Celia López-Cañizares et al.: LIFE INVASAQUA outcomes: Preventing and raising awareness of aquatic IAS Figure 2. LIFE INVASAQUA networking events A conclusions session of the "Addressing IAS in Europe: The relevance of transnational cooperation and stakeholder engagement" event. Brussels, September 2023 B group picture of the "Exchange of Experiences on Invasive Alien Species Projects in Europe" event. Malaga, May 2023. of LIFE INVASAQUA to EU policymakers and stakeholders (Fig. 2). This event emphasised the project’s alignment with the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030 and its contributions to enhancing the implementation of the EU Regulation on IAS. During these events, the "Invasive Alien Species web platform" was highlighted as a model that could be adapted for use in other regions, showcasing its potential for replicability. Overall, the project’s engagement with more than 20 LIFE and other European initiatives created valuable partnerships and facilitated a broad dissemination of best practices. These efforts ensured that LIFE INVASAQUA’s impact extended beyond its timeline, establishing a framework for IAS management at multiple levels. Enhancing stakeholders’ awareness and response capacity to aquatic IAS threats Several key actions (Fig. 1) were dedicated to raising awareness and fostering education about aquatic IAS among key stakeholders in Spain and Portugal. It aimed to increase knowledge regarding IAS impacts and to empower individuals and organisations to contribute to prevention, management and mitigation efforts. The project implemented a dissemination and training strategy in order to reach the target audiences and key stakeholders: surveillance agents, river and estuary users (anglers, aquatic sports practitioners, etc.) (Fig. 3), knowledge multipliers such as museums and aquariums (Fig. 4), the educational community, the commercial sectors (aquaculture, pet-keeping etc.) (Fig. 5), and the media. The Clean, Check and Dry campaign (Fig. 3) was promoted among river and estuary users to encourage good practices in preventing IAS spread in Spain and Portugal. It was supported by the Spanish Federation of Angling and Casting which hosted the materials and the project survey on its website: (https://www. fepyc.es/blog/consulta-los-ciudadanos-sobre-las-especies-ex%C3%B3ticas-invasoras-%E2%80%93-campa%C3%B1a-revisa-limpia-y-seca-%E2%80%93). The project developed a total of 98 training activities including 4 massive open online courses (MOOCs) (https://ibermis.org/formacion/), which attracted over 2,900 participants. These training initiatives provided key groups with the tools and knowledge necessary to contribute to IAS management and prevention. 385 NeoBiota 102: 377–397 (2025), DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.102.148744 Celia López-Cañizares et al.: LIFE INVASAQUA outcomes: Preventing and raising awareness of aquatic IAS Figure 3. Visuals of the Check, Clean and Dry campaign A campaign logo (Spanish version) B dissemination poster for the navigation sector (Portuguese version). All high-quality materials in Spanish and Portuguese are available for re-use and replication at: https://lifeinvasaqua.com/campana-revisa-limpia-seca-de-lifeinvasaqua/. Figure 4. Dissemination and training strategy aimed at knowledge multipliers A code of conduct for zoos and aquariums co-created with the Iberian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AIZA) in 2022 B training for zoos, aquariums and museums staff at the National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN-CSIC), Madrid 2023. Guidelines with the best practices and codes of conduct for sectors such as online commerce, surveillance agents and zoos and aquariums (Fig. 4) were elaborated, totaling 16 codes published in Spanish and Portuguese and providing practical recommendations to reduce the risk of IAS introductions and spread (https://lifeinvasaqua.com/codigos-de-conducta-lifeinvasaqua-sobre-especies-exoticas-invasoras/). These documents were widely distributed to the targeted stakeholders and also made available online. In addition, specific activities and materials targeting teachers and students included 57 events with schools and universities, such as 3 dedicated youth conferences, 76 fieldwork actions and the development of 2 didactic guides, among others. These experiences involved the educational sector in hands-on learning about IAS and ecosystem conservation. 392 NeoBiota 102: 377–397 (2025), DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.102.148744 Celia López-Cañizares et al.: LIFE INVASAQUA outcomes: Preventing and raising awareness of aquatic IAS Author contributions Celia López-Cañizares: Conceptualization, Project administration, Writing - Original Draft, Writing – review and editing; Francisco J. Oliva-Paterna: Supervision, Conceptualization, Project administration, Funding acquisition, Writing – review and editing; Rosa Olivo del Amo: Conceptualization, Project administration, Writing – review and editing; Mar Torralva, Pedro Anastácio, Fernando Cobo, Anabel Perdices, Rafael Miranda, Catherine Numa: Funding acquisition, Writing – review and editing; Antonio Guillén-Beltrán, Filipe Banha, Pedro Brandão, Sandra Barca, Rufino Vieira-Lanero, Frederic Casals, Jorge R. Sánchez-González, Annie Machordom, Javier Oscoz, Helena Clavero-Sousa, Lourdes Lázaro-Marín, Filipe Ribeiro, Francisco J. Oficialdegui and José M. Zamora-Marín: Writing – review and editing. All authors have reviewed and contributed to improve the text and figures. Author ORCIDs Celia López-Cañizares https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9849-4894 Rosa Olivo del Amo https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3014-5625 Antonio Guillén-Beltrán https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5416-1024 Mar Torralva https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1517-3337 Pedro Anastácio https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1808-3847 Filipe Banha https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7963-3497 Pedro Brandão https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9911-0272 Sandra Barca https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0835-6354 Fernando Cobo https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5684-266X Rufino Vieira-Lanero https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9919-7306 Frederic Casals https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7751-2528 Jorge R. Sánchez-González https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6170-7523 Anabel Perdices https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0980-215X Annie Machordom https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0341-0809 Rafael Miranda https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4798-314X Javier Oscoz https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8464-9442 Catherine Numa https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3213-1980 Filipe Ribeiro https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3531-5072 Francisco J. Oficialdegui https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6223-736X José M. Zamora-Marín https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7021-267X Francisco J. Oliva-Paterna https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8288-5321 Data availability All of the data that support the findings of this study are available in the main text and in the project final reports in Oliva-Paterna et al. 2024a and Oliva-Paterna et al. 2024b. References Angulo E, Ballesteros-Mejia L, Novoa A, Duboscq-Carra VG, Diagne C, Courchamp F (2021) Economic costs of invasive alien species in Spain. 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