Developing a Rapid Response Plan for Didemnum: A Proposed Model Plan for Prince Edward Island

“Rapid Response” is the capacity to quickly respond to an invasion in cases where prevention (of the invasion) fails. Normally, eradication is the primary goal. Other management options include containment of the population, suppression to keep its numbers below an economic or ecological threshold or slow its spread, or living with the effects of the species. The Rapid Response Plan outlines the decision-making process to select a management option and the tools to carry it out.

Locke et al. developed a draft National Framework for Rapid Response to Aquatic Invasive Species which will be formally reviewed in 2008 by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). The Rapid Response Framework is a “cookbook” of pre-invasion planning and post-invasion action steps. Despite the “draft” status of the Framework, it has already been used in several provinces as an aid to identifying actions to be taken after the discovery of invasive marine species, although in those cases it was too late for the pre-invasion steps.

The Prince Edward Island Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinating Committee (AISCC) identified the non-indigenous form of Didemnum, present in Georges Bank and Eastport, Maine, but not yet reported from Canadian waters, as a taxon for which a Rapid Response Plan should be developed. In March 2007, a workshop was held in Charlottetown, PEI, to start the development of a Rapid Response Plan for Didemnum in PEI. This is the first such plan which will be developed proactively by DFO before the detection of an invasion, and serves as the first field-test of the proposed National Framework. This poster reports on the outcomes of that workshop.

Locke, A., and H.A. SmithGulf Fisheries Centre, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, P.O. Box 5030, Moncton, NB

PEI Area Office, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Charlottetown, PEI

0. General principles

Pre-invasion • Understand all relevant laws, regulations, policies and guidelines. Many legislative gaps exist. Proposed changes to the federal Fisheries Act are expected to provide more options. Currently, it is only possible to apply the Fisheries Act after the fact of an AIS introduction; and powers are very limited. Introductions and Transfers Regulations and Pesticide Management Regulations are also relevant. • Who is responsible overall, and for each step in the RR. Marine waters are a federal responsibility, therefore DFO would be the lead agency; with strong partnership expected from PEI DFA. In PEI, AIS issues are coordinated through the PEI AIS Steering Committee (AISSC), chaired by DFO.• Identify a primary point of contact at each level, provincial, and federal agency involved, and at major stakeholder organizations as appropriate. AISSC; bivalve stakeholders represented on Introductions & Transfers Tunicate Subcommittee; no formal contact list of other stakeholders although in general we know who they are (non-bivalve stakeholders will be more important with Didemnum than with the other tunicates).• Identify the source of funding. No funding has been set aside for Rapid Response as yet. Some federal and provincial funding opportunities for research or experimental RR. Long-term funding may be hard to obtain. There is a need to establish an easily accessible emergency fund.• Identify existing frameworks, networks, etc., that may be useful in developing or implementing a RR plan. RR plans exist for specific diseases or parasites (e.g., MSX, ISAV) - these may be good models for a generalized invasive species RR. Other possible models, Emergency Measures, REET, Environmental Emergency Response Team.• Organize the communications structure. AISSC fulfills this role. Goal: Provide a forum where much of the debate and consensus building will occur before there is a need to implement RR, and secondly, establish a network of communication among members of the RR team.

1. Detection

Pre-invasion • Plan for identification of suspected Didemnum. Specimens will be sent to DFO (Moncton) for initial identification and forwarded to specialists for confirmation if necessary.• Develop monitoring network. Monitoring of tunicates in PEI is conducted through 3 major activities: (1) monitoring navigation buoys (coordinated through DFO in Quebec), (2) monitoring using settlement plates (coordinated through DFO in Moncton), (3) receiving and investigating reports from stakeholders. Information from the public/stakeholders is received by the PEI AIS Coordinator or 1-800 hotline. Protocols for the preservation of specimens for traditional taxonomy and for genetic workup have been established. Currently, voucher specimens are being held at DFO in Moncton. Workshops have been held to develop monitoring procedures and taxonomic skills. • Develop a communications strategy. This strategy should include: (1) Develop a list of stakeholders and agencies that should be notified in the event of a sighting and the commencement of activities under the RR framework. as above, a partial list exists. (2) Educate the public and politicians of the dangers of AIS and the potential risks and benefits of RR. an ongoing activity (3) Educate public and private interest groups, targeting specific pathways associated with that group’s activities. Recruit groups or individuals into the passive or action detection networks. ongoing. (4) Develop identification materials for high-priority species. Various government and non-government educational materials are now available. (5) Develop a dedicated website or 1-800 number to report sightings or access information on invasions. 1-866-759-6600 is our toll-free line for AIS reporting, in Moncton. Also can call PEI AIS Coordinator in Charlottetown or PEI-DFA. National website is under construction. (6) Prepare generic press release statements.

Post-invasion• Report the suspected AIS to the AIS Coordinator or 1-800 number.• Positively identify the species. • Voucher the confirmed specimen to ensure historical record.• Report the invasion to the AISCC and other stakeholders identified pre-invasion. • Mobilize the coordinators and scientific advisory team to undertake the next steps. • Update the national database.• Mobilize communications officer. Start updating press releases, web site, etc. with information about the specific AIS.

2. DelimitationPre-invasion

• Identify who would conduct biological surveys to delimit Didemnum’s distribution and abundance. DFO, with DFA and AVC• Identify a source of funding for these surveys. To some extent, could be covered under existing AIS- or aquaculture-related funding sources. A dedicated fund for Rapid Response is needed.• Identify data requirements for risk assessment of species and vectors, and develop sampling protocols to collect these data. Train survey personnel and ensure that equipment will be available. In place for species, needs more development for vectors.• Determine the likely composition of potential scientific assessment committee. AISSC, stakeholders and additional experts.• Develop a communication strategy. (1) How will stakeholder consultation be accomplished? (2) Is the contacts list from the “detection” step still adequate, or do more people need to be notified or consulted? (3) How will information be communicated to the general public?

Post-invasion • Determine distribution of invader and other relevant data identified in the protocols developed pre-invasion. Determine vectors/risk of spread.• Convene scientific assessment committee and review preliminary data. • Begin stakeholder consultation to determine the need for management.

3. ContainmentPre-invasion

• Develop criteria for determining the need for containment or restriction of use of an infested water body. What kind of containment would be appropriate? Would product removal be required? What about boats?• Evaluate legal authority that will allow containment or restriction of use of the water body. A limited amount of restriction currently allowed. Revised Fishery Act may allow more? • Identify the agencies responsible for the enforcement of restrictions. Identify what enforcement resources may be required. Should be part of RR fund. • Identify the communications needs associated with containment or restriction of use. How would the new restrictions/containment be communicated to the general public?

Post-invasion• Scientific advisory committee evaluates need for containment or restriction and continues to assess risk as more data become available.• Commence containment or restriction of use of the infested water body or facility, if necessary.• Continue stakeholder consultation.• Monitor the infestation.

4. Assessment

Pre-invasion • Identify who will conduct the risk assessment. Done. A risk assessment of Didemnum was conducted in Mar/07 by DFO’s Centre of Expertise in Aquatic Risk Assessment (CEARA).• Identify the environmental (and vectors) data to be collected on the affected area, develop the required protocols. What are the needs of data gathering for the risk assessment to be conducted post-invasion? • Identify control options. Presently under investigation with partners from New England (L. Harris, J. Dijkstra, M. Carman, P. Valentine).• Formalize the decision support system for risk assessment and provide training. Risk assessment methodologies are under development by CEARA.

Post-invasion• Assemble data on the affected area. • Review the control options. • Identify risks and benefits associated with various controls/no control. • Consult stakeholders. • Select the preferred control option. Set schedule for implementation.

5. Implementation

Pre-invasion • Develop protocols for the control methods that may be used. May be able to adapt protocols from other tunicates.• Provide training to RR group members with simulations and field trials. Are the experimental field trials already conducted against other tunicates in PEI sufficient?

Post-invasion• Begin experimental or full-scale management effort.

6. Evaluating effectiveness (Follow-up)

Pre-invasion • Identify agencies responsible for post-treatment monitoring. the usual, DFO/DFA• Identify the protocols to be used in post-treatment monitoring to assess the effectiveness of the selected response. What monitoring will be done? Duration?• At what point is the response considered complete?• At what point is a formerly infested water body considered “clean”?• Identify protocols to evaluate the effectiveness of communication.

Post-invasion• Monitor for long enough to ensure objectives have been met.• Determine if response is complete. • Take measures to prevent reinvasion.• Evaluate the effectiveness of communication.• Debrief the process and record ALL steps.