Susan L. Williams and Edwin D. Grosholz

Estuaries and Coasts: J CERF (2008) 31: 3-20

IntroductionIntroduced species: introduced outside its native range

through human activities; invasive species (IS)are a subset that are likely to, or cause economic or ecological harm .

Estuaries and coasts are particularly susceptible to introductions of nonnative species partly a consequence of being center s for the activities that represent the major vectors for introductions: shipping and boating, aquaculture, system connectivity, aquarium trade, live seafood and bait

Despite this increased scientific interest and public awareness (e.g., cholera virus, killer algae, pythons), research articles on introduced species are relatively few and published in general marine journals

Progress Toward Management: The Regulatory Framework Australia and New Zealand stand out among nations in taking proactive

approaches to dealing with the prevention, eradication, and control of invasive marine organisms.

Approach to the management of introduced species in these countries is strongly science-based

In USA : 1) lack of a centralized agency that has had the necessary resources or the authority for management of introduced species, 2) slow to move forward with their plans, 3) states act independently-lack of federal leadership

More than 50 international and regional legal instruments exist that address the intentional introductions of nonnative species, including the CBD, the InternationalCounsel for Exploration of the Seas (Codes of Practice on the Introductions and Transfers of Marine Organisms), Agreement on the Application of Sanitary an d Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) under the World Trade Organization.

Few are binding or carry penalties for noncompliance!!!!!!!!!

Progress Toward Management: The Regulatory Framework

The existing legal instruments concerning invasive species focus heavily on preventing introductions. Best way to reduce future costs of management.

Some reasons for the lack of early detection and prompt action:

1) Introductions are rarely evident 2) The economic impact of introduced estuarine and coastal species

are understudied and mostly qualitative, the incentive to manage is proportionally reduced

3) Externalities, are notoriously difficult to estimate, particularly in the marine environment

Why Allocate Precious Resources to Introduced Species in the Coastal Environment?

So why there is a need to manage IS?

1) Threatening or endangering native marine species

2) Pathogens and toxic dinoflagellates3) Accumulate higher levels of contaminants than

native species4) Economic impact

Why Allocate Precious Resources to Introduced Species in the Coastal Environment? Managers were in consensus that access to experts and basic

biological and ecological information was critical to managing the eradications and more was desirable

Managers also relied on scientists to provide eradication success/failure benchmarks and reviews of programs to facilitate adaptive management.

Risk assessment and cost-benefit analyses were useful even if qualitative; the more extensive the scientific evidence for the risk, the easier it was to take or defend management actions

Several managers pointed out a slow or absent response from their agencies in supporting their on-the-ground efforts

Two Case Histories: The Introductions of Caulerpa and SpartinaCaulerpa taxifolia (“killer algae”):

• Native from tropical waters

• Considered one of the world ’s top 100 invasive species • 1999, USDA Noxious Weed List• 2000: identified in southern California• 2006: success of the eradication program, SCCAT (Southern California Caulerpa Action Team)• Mediterranean waters, don’t have the same luck, too late detection, spread everywhere

• Herbicides effective for controlling freshwater nuisance plants does not work for C. taxifolia

• Copper treatment was considered, but the USA Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) objected

• California also passed legislation prohibiting the possession and sale of C. taxifolia and other species of Caulerpa

• Caulerpa is still being sold in California

Two Case Histories: The Introductions of Caulerpa and Spartina

Spartina alterniflora (eastern cordgrassess):

• Native from eastern North America

• Introduced to California (800 ha) and to Washington (2400 ha)

• In SF Bay, hybridized with the native S. foliosa

• Negative effects on benthic food webs, ecosystem structure and function

• Like with Caulerpa, very limited collaboration between science and managers

The need for marrying science with management

Learned lessons:Most management options are reduced to eradication and

control Marine invasive species do not inevitably spread rapidly and

extensively beyond controlFor the invasive ones, eradication, which is less costly than

prolonged control programs, can be feasible in the early stages of invasion when the distribution of the invader is limited

“Successful eradication occurred when the introduced populations were small and restricted, human and financial resources were available, and early action was taken”

Highlighting an Agenda for Management-Focused ResearchPrevention: screen undesirable species based on

propensity for successful establishment - habitat similarities with donor environment - niche, climate, physiological tolerance, ecological interactions represented in a species distribution models (SDM) GIS

Early detection: rapid identification of introduced species

- genetic dipstick, barcoding and shotgun sequences

Highlighting an Agenda for Management-Focused ResearchEffects on Communities and Ecosystems

(trophic levels, functional groups, nutrients cycling and storage)

Highlighting an Agenda for Management-Focused ResearchRisk assessment: probability that a species

establishes successfully x probability that it will cause harm

Understanding connectivity to Prioritize Eradication and Control Efforts

Highlighting an Agenda for Management-Focused Research

Eradication and Control Needs:- avoid harm to native species- biocontrol (few studies)- transgenic approaches (promising)- pheromone control (promising)

Challenge: rapid dilution in flowing waters

Highlighting an Agenda for Management-Focused Research

The Need for Decision Support:- Need of a single source, readily accessible,

step-wise management decision support system (when, where to start, what to use)

- Identification of authorities, required regulations and permits, access to experts

Lack of data is still an obstacle….

Highlighting an Agenda for Management-Focused Research

Evolutionary Potential: changes in the biology of the introduced species, genetic variation, evolution and adaptation, plastic phenotype

Important to understand how the population genetic structure influences the likelihood than an introduced species will become invasive

Highlighting an Agenda for Management-Focused Research

Ecological Economics and introduced Species:

- need of cross-disciplinary approaches- costs of introduced species to develop more

effective recommendations

Lack of data for risk assessments used in economic models..

Highlighting an Agenda for Management-Focused ResearchFacilitation of Subsequent Introduced Species:- an introduced species can influence subsequent

introductions (“facilitator”)- Few documented examples in marine ecosystems- If this happens, need of greater management strategies

Climate Change and Species Introductions:- Temperature increase success of introduced species- Rising sea level unknown consequences- CO2 increase likely to benefit C3 introduced species- Ocean acidification benefit introduced species that do

not calcify

Conclusions

Need of the same will and resources nations have applied to reducing pollution, restorations of wetlands and fisheries stocks

Australia and New Zealand demonstrated that research and management can be effectively integrated. From costly eradication and control, to proactive prevention.

Aquatic invasive species in Puerto Rico

Lion fish

No formal strategic plan yet

- Prevention

- Risk assessment: 1) what information do we need?, 2) is a priority?

- Eradication: feasible?

- Control: kill every individual, consumption, economic incentives

NEEDS (DRNA, 2011): Information as precise as possible on the distribution and abundance of

lionfish within PR territorial waters and habitats. Where should we concentrate our time and efforts? What are the best techniques to use in each? Are there predictable spawning aggregation sites that we can target for intensive removals?

A successful plan to efficiently overfish lionfish, in the shortest time possible, at all depths, and keep them in that condition (or worse) forever.

Identification of any serious potential predators of lionfish among the native fish community that we should be protecting. Some divers report that blennies, morays, octopus, and graysby grouper show potential to consume lionfish

GRACIAS!!