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Great Lakes
Article:
Introduced
Species Invading U.S. Waters at Rising Pace
Article
courtesy of Lycos Environmental News Service
By Cat Lazaroff
WASHINGTON,
DC, October 23, 2001 (ENS) - The rate of non-native
species invading U.S. coastal waters has risen exponentially
over the past 200 years and shows no sign of leveling
off, warns a new report from the Pew Oceans Commission.
Introduced species crowd out native species, alter habitats,
disrupt ecosystems and impose economic burdens on coastal
communities.
When the historic battleship USS Missouri was moved from
Puget Sound to Hawaii, it carried mussels that recolonized
a nearby submarine. Marina floats towed from New Jersey
to Massachusetts brought with them a population of Asian
crabs.
Atlantic salmon are reproducing in the Pacific Northwest
after escaping from fish farms. A toxic Mediterranean
green seaweed has colonized a lagoon near San Diego, California,
probably after someone dumped out a home aquarium.
In a report entitled "Introduced Species in U.S. Coastal
Waters" presented to the Pew Oceans Commission Monday,
James Carlton, PhD, of Williams College and Mystic Seaport,
describes a "game of ecological roulette" playing out
along the U.S. coast. Hundreds of species arrive each
day by way of ship ballast waters, fishing activities
and other means, Carlton said.
"We
really don't have a good grasp on the number of invasions
going on," Carlton said Monday at a press conference releasing
the report.
The report highlights the loss of coastal habitat and biodiversity
and the millions of dollars spent each year to research
and control introduced species. Carlton recommends a compulsory
ballast water management program, an early warning and rapid
response system, and greatly expanded research and public
education programs.
"Once
an introduced crab, fish or seaweed takes hold in a coastal
area, it can cause tremendous environmental disruption
and result in millions of dollars in damage," said Leon
Panetta, chair of the Pew Oceans Commission.
Panetta is leading an independent group of leaders on
a national review of the policies needed to restore and
protect the living resources of the oceans.
"For
coastal areas already threatened by polluted runoff, poorly
planned coastal development, or declining fisheries, the
effects of introduced species are especially damaging,"
Panetta added.
Carlton's report begins with a look at why introductions
continue to occur along U.S. coasts and how they affect
the nation's ability to restore and protect coastal habitats.
He then discusses the primary sources of introductions,
including ballast water and fouling organisms (those that
attach to ships and other structures), maritime activities
such as exploration and commerce, fishing activities, and
the aquarium industry.
Carlton concludes with a review of efforts to prevent,
reduce and control introductions and offers several recommendations
for action. The report calls for a federal "strike force"
to combat invasive marine species, and a $50 million commitment
to eliminate established populations of non-native pests.
"The
management of introductions should be tackled from the
point of origin to the point of arrival," concludes Carlton.
"We must prevent and reduce invasions, coordinate response
to newly discovered introductions, expand research and
improve public awareness of the problem."
The General Accounting Office (GAO), the investigative
arm of Congress, reported in July that invasive species
cause billions of dollars in damage to crops, rangelands
and waterways each year. The GAO report called invasive
pests "one of the most serious environmental threats of
the 21st century."
The U.S. Department of Agriculture spent more than half
a billion dollars in 2000 on invasive species research
and control efforts, the GAO found.
The Pew Oceans Commission has contracted with a number of
distinguished scientific and technical experts to prepare
reports on key marine resource issues. Authors review the
latest information and offer recommendations on how best
to address the ecological, economic, political or social
problems they identify.
Carlton's report is the third in a series that includes
reports on marine pollution and aquaculture. Additional
reports on coastal development, fishing and marine protected
areas are underway.
"Introduced
Species in U.S. Coastal Waters: Environmental Impacts
and Management Priorities" is available at: http://www.pewoceans.org/reports/introduced_species.pdf
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