Baker, J. and J. Smith, 2001. Aquatic Invasive Species Management in Massachusetts: Problems With Developing a Coordinated Approach and Their Solutions, Nonpoint Monitoring Coordinator.

Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Marine Bioinvasions, New Orleans, La., April 9-11, 2001, p. 2.

Aquatic Invasive Species Management in Massachusetts: Problems With Developing a Coordinated Approach and Their Solutions

The introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) poses a serious threat to the marine and freshwater environments of Massachusetts. The proliferation of aquatic invaders has already had a significant impact on the economy and ecology of the Commonwealth, and AIS impacts in other states and countries convey the need to develop a proactive approach to minimizing the introduction and spread of nonindigenous species. This presentation gives an overview of the steps Massachusetts has taken towards a coordinated AIS management strategy, with emphasis on problems encountered along the way (related to both science and policy) and their solutions. 

In the fall of 2000, Massachusetts formed the interagency Aquatic Invasive Species Working Group. The AIS Working group has sought to coordinate the patchwork of Massachusetts AIS management activities into a cohesive AIS Management Plan with the goals of 1) educating the public about the AIS problem, 2) reducing the potential for AIS introductions, 3) controlling the spread of established invaders, and 4) minimizing impacts from established invaders. Key elements of this plan include the identification of existing AIS management activities, identification of priority invaders (including established and threatening invaders), and development of a five-year action plan. Major products, objectives, and future management actions which were developed by the AIS Working Group include: 

• development of criteria for the designation of priority aquatic invaders;
• identification of priority transport vectors for marine and freshwater systems; 
• development of emergency response plans for major taxa of colonizing invaders (i.e. aquatic weeds, shellfish pathogens, bivalves, etc.); 
• designation of research priorities for AIS species and transport vectors; 
• development of a state-wide AIS database; and 
• development of educational tools and programs specific to priority invaders as well as the overall AIS problem. 

The Working Group faced various difficulties relating to the coordination of marine and freshwater AIS management efforts, the designation of priority species based on limited research, and the identification of roles and responsibilities of various government agencies during the development of the AIS Management Plan. Thus, the Plan represents the culmination of extensive collaborative efforts between state and federal agencies, biologists, and other natural resource managers. The AIS working group seeks to have a plan approved by the federal Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force by the fall of 2001 and, with the help of a full time AIS coordinator, begin implementation early the following year. 

Contact: Jason Baker, Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management, Nonpoint Monitoring Coordinator, 251 Causeway St., Suite 900, Boston, MA 02114-2136
Key Words: Nonindigenous, Prevention, Policy
Product Type: Publication, Proceedings
User Type: Resource Management