1. Rhode Island Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan CRMC Coastal Education Series Narragansett Bay Commission Meeting Room October 23, 2007 6:00 PM Kevin R. Cute Marine Resources Specialist Coastal Resources Management Council

2. RI Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan Definition “Invasive species means an alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health” - Executive Order 13112 Invasive Species

3. Introduction Vectors –Ballast Water (commercial shipping) –Recreational Boating, Fishing, Bait Industry –Research Institutions and Public Aquaria –Aquarium, Water Garden Trade –Seafood Import and Sale –Aquaculture –Internet RI Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan www.providence.edu/megaport/ballast.htm

4. RI Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan Ecological Roulette Not all introduced species survive; Not all survivors become invasive; However… The small fraction that becomes invasive causes enormous economic and environmental damage – SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT, TECHNOLOGY, AND STANDARDS COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center

5. Impacts –High control costs –Public health threats –Degraded water quality –Altered native ecosystems –Diminished property values –Economic impacts on aquaculture –Decline in finfish and shellfish populations –Recreational losses – swimming, boating, fishing RI Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan

6. Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Species Prevention and Control Act of 1990 –Ballast Water –Great Lakes Panel –Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force

7. RI Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan National Invasive Species Act 1996 –Western Regional Panel –Other Regional Panels –State AIS Management Plans

8. RI Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan “Our Mission is to Protect the Marine and Freshwater Resources of the Northeast from Aquatic Invasive Species through Commitment and Cohesive Coordinated Action” http://www.northeastans.org/

9. RI Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan CRMC and the NEANS Panel –Charter Member (2001) –Co-Chair NEANS Panel (Marine Chair) –Co-Chair Shipping Committee –Northeast Aquatic Nuisance Species Council: 501(c)(3) non-profit to manage NEANS Panel’s finances

10. RI Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan NEANS Panel: Members and Committees –New England States, New York, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec –Committees: Communications, Education and Outreach; Science and Technology; Policy and Legislation; Shipping

11. RI Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan NEANS Panel: State AIS Mgt. Plans –Approved State AIS management plans: Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Maine –Approved Interstate AIS management plans: Lake Champlain Watershed Basin

12. RI Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan State AIS Management Plans –Federal Grant Provides ~ 50k/year –Federal Cost Share 75% –Non-Federal Share May be Cash or In-Kind

13. RI Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan Goals of the RIAIS Mgt. Plan –Prevent Introduction and Establishment of AIS –Control Growth and Spread of AIS –Abate Impacts and Minimize Harmful Effects of AIS

14. RI Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan Objectives of the RI AIS Mgt. Plan –Coordination and Communication –Monitoring –Education, Outreach, Training –Research and Development –Planning and Assessments –Prevention and Control –Legislation and Regulation

15. RI Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) –Native Range Eurasia –Introduced 1988 –Vector Ballast Water (Spread by sport fishing) –Impacts Harmful Algal Blooms, Threat to Drinking Water Supply, Alters Ecosystem, High Control Costs to Public Utilities

16. RI Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan

17. 1988 Distribution USGS

18. RI Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan 2005 Distribution USGS

19. RI Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) –Native Range Africa –Introduced 1960 –Vector Aquarium Trade –Impacts Outcompetes Native Species, Alters Ecosystem, Recreational Losses, High Control Costs Photo: Vic Ramey

20. RI Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan

22. Chinese Mitten Crab (Eriocheir sinensis) –Native Range China –Introduced 1992 (west coast); 2005 (east coast) –Vector Ballast Water (Spread by intentional release?) –Impacts Commercial Fisheries, Habitat Loss, Public Utilities www.serc.si.edu

23. RI Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan