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Mobile, AL Aliens in Alabama? No, not aliens from outer space but non-native plants and animals that can have adverse affects on native wildlife populations. Development of a Management Plan for these non-natives is the goal of the new Alabama Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force established by Governor Riley Executive Order #30 on June 2, 2005. The Task Force is led by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division assisted by the ADCNR Marine Resources Division, supported by the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program (Mobile Bay NEP) and the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership at Louisiana State University. Task Force membership includes numerous state agencies and stakeholder organizations. In 1995, the National Research Council identified non-native invasive species as one of the five greatest threats to our marine environment. Many vectors exist for introduction of non-native aquatic plant and animal species in our Gulf Coast waters. Introduction examples include by recreational and commercial boaters, ballast water discharge, and intentional introductions such as plantings or aquarium releases. New species are reported regularly, some of which pose major threats. Non-native species may spread rapidly, out compete native species, and often have no local predators which can result in economic, ecological and social losses to our nation. Numerous examples of non-natives that have caused harm exist: kudzu (Pueraria montana), hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), the fire ant (Solenopsis invicta), cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica), zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), and even microscopic pathogens such as Cholera bacteria (Vibrio cholerae) to name a few. Potential threats are far more numerous. Researchers at Cornell University estimate that we spend over $138 billion annually to combat this threat. The problem is so significant that the Non-indigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act passed in 1990, and a special White House Panel (the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, ASTNF) was established. The National Invasive Species Act (NISA) of 1996 strengthened and expanded our response to this threat. One of the goals of the national ANSTF and its regional advisory boards such as the Southeast and Gulf Regional Aquatic Panel is to promote development of specific state plans to prevent introduction of potential aquatic nuisance species (ANS), provide early warning of new arrivals and control those that are already here or manage their impacts. On August 3, 2005 Alabama will join the other four Gulf States in developing just such a plan. A meeting involving over 50 representatives from state agencies and other stakeholder groups will be held in Daphne, Alabama to discuss the need for a management plan, kick–off efforts to develop it, and identify issues associated with ANS. The meeting is hosted by the ADCNR Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries and Marine Resources Divisions and the Mobile Bay NEP. The goal is to build on similar efforts in other Gulf States and complete a draft plan within one year.
*** END *** Who: Alabama
Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force
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