Marine Invasive Species in Puget Sound Kevin Aitkin U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Washington Fish and Wildlife Office Lacey, Washington

What are nonnative species? Nonnative species are species introduced by man (either intentional or unintentional) to a place that they did not occupy prior to European settlement Nonnative species are species introduced by man (either intentional or unintentional) to a place that they did not occupy prior to European settlement Nonnative species are also known as: alien, exotic, introduced, or nonindigenous species Nonnative species are also known as: alien, exotic, introduced, or nonindigenous species

Examples of nonnative species

Nonnative animals in your backyard European Starling European Starling Eastern Gray Squirrel Eastern Gray Squirrel

Nonnative mammals in Washington Virginia Possum Virginia Possum Eastern Cottontail Eastern Cottontail

Nonnative fish in Washington Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass ■ Bluegill Sunfish

Nonnative shellfish in Washington Pacific Oyster Pacific Oyster ■ Manila Clam

Nonnative Plant Species Himalayan and Evergreen Blackberries Himalayan and Evergreen Blackberries English Ivy English Ivy

Domesticated Nonnative Species Dogs Dogs Cats Cats Parrots Parrots Tropical Fish Tropical Fish Horses Horses Cows Cows Pigs Pigs Sheep Sheep

Take Home Message Most invasive species are nonnative, but not all nonnative species are invasive Most invasive species are nonnative, but not all nonnative species are invasive Invasive Species are nonnative species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health (Executive Order 13112: Invasive Species - February 3, 1999) Invasive Species are nonnative species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health (Executive Order 13112: Invasive Species - February 3, 1999)

Nonnative Species in Puget Sound Over 60 records of established nonnative plants and animals in Puget Sound Over 60 records of established nonnative plants and animals in Puget Sound Most are invertebrates – crustaceans, mollusks, and worms Most are invertebrates – crustaceans, mollusks, and worms (Source: USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) database -

Invasive Marine Plants

Cordgrasses (Spartina spp.) S. alterniflora is native to East coast U.S. S. alterniflora is native to East coast U.S. S. anglica originated in England as a hybrid S. anglica originated in England as a hybrid Willapa Bay: 15,000 to 18,000 acres covered (< 2 net acres) Willapa Bay: 15,000 to 18,000 acres covered (< 2 net acres) Puget Sound: Prior to ,000 solid acres (2011 – 16 acres, 2012 estimate – 6 acres) Puget Sound: Prior to ,000 solid acres (2011 – 16 acres, 2012 estimate – 6 acres)

Caulerpa (Caulerpa taxifolia) A tropical green algae native to the Caribbean Sea and Indian Ocean A tropical green algae native to the Caribbean Sea and Indian Ocean An aggressive clone of this species has adapted to cooler water (> 5 o C) An aggressive clone of this species has adapted to cooler water (> 5 o C) Clone reproduces asexually via fragmentation Clone reproduces asexually via fragmentation Can cover up to 100% of the sea bottom from 1 to 35 m, pushing out native invertebrates, fish and algae Can cover up to 100% of the sea bottom from 1 to 35 m, pushing out native invertebrates, fish and algae Occurred at two locations off the coast southern California Occurred at two locations off the coast southern California Does not occur in Washington Does not occur in Washington

Japanese or Dwarf Eel Grass ( Zostera japonica) Native to East Asia Native to East Asia Occurs higher in the intertidal than the native eel grass (Zostera marina) Occurs higher in the intertidal than the native eel grass (Zostera marina) First discovered in Washington in 1957 First discovered in Washington in 1957 Copyright © 2006 Mary Jo Adams

Invasive Marine Animals

European Green Crab (Carcinus maenas) Native to Europe and Northern Africa Native to Europe and Northern Africa Implicated in the decline of the soft- shelled clam fishery in New England Implicated in the decline of the soft- shelled clam fishery in New England Eats clams, oysters, mussels, marine worms and small crustaceans Eats clams, oysters, mussels, marine worms and small crustaceans

Chinese Mitten Crab (Eriocheir sinensis) Native to SE Asia, does not occur in WA Native to SE Asia, does not occur in WA Catadromous – occurs in both fresh and marine water Catadromous – occurs in both fresh and marine water Problems - omnivorous, burrows into banks of levees and dikes, and is an intermediate host for the Oriental lung fluke Problems - omnivorous, burrows into banks of levees and dikes, and is an intermediate host for the Oriental lung fluke

Asian or Overbite Clam (Potamocorbula (Corbula) amurensis) A marine clam native to estuaries of Russia, China, and Japan A marine clam native to estuaries of Russia, China, and Japan Concern: could be carried from San Francisco Bay to WA via ballast water Concern: could be carried from San Francisco Bay to WA via ballast water Does not occur in Washington Does not occur in Washington

Tunicates or Sea Squirts Primitive vertebrate (Phylum Chordata) Primitive vertebrate (Phylum Chordata) Colonial Species - (Didemnum vexillium) Colonial Species - (Didemnum vexillium) Solitary Species - Club Tunicate (Styela clava) Solitary Species - Club Tunicate (Styela clava) Nancy C. Balcom, University of Connecticut Woods Hole Science Center, USGS

What You Can Do Keep an eye out for unusual plants and animals Keep an eye out for unusual plants and animals Report any potential invasive species to the WA Invasive Species Hotline or report online Report any potential invasive species to the WA Invasive Species Hotline or report online Hotline: INFEST ( ) Hotline: INFEST ( ) Website: Website:

Additional Information Marine Invasive Species Identification Guide for the Puget Sound Area (out of print) – Marine Invasive Species Identification Guide for the Puget Sound Area (out of print) – Aquatic Invasive Species Guide Book for the Puget Sound Area (out of print) – Aquatic Invasive Species Guide Book for the Puget Sound Area (out of print) – Selected Crabs of Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and British Columbia (free from Oregon Sea Grant) - nepubs/g05003.pdf Selected Crabs of Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and British Columbia (free from Oregon Sea Grant) - nepubs/g05003.pdf The Exotics Guide - The Exotics Guide -

Additional Information (cont.) WA Invasive Species Council - WA Invasive Species Council - Washington Invasive Species Education (WISE ) - Washington Invasive Species Education (WISE ) - WDFW (Aquatic Invasive Species Species) - WDFW (Aquatic Invasive Species Species) - WDFW (clam identification) - WDFW (clam identification) - Marine Invasive Species Monitoring Program (MISM) - Marine Invasive Species Monitoring Program (MISM) - Note: MISM no longer active, but website is still a good resource