Aquatic Invasive Species Vector Risk Assessments
Aquatic Invasive Species
Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are potentially harmful plants, animals, and other organisms that have been introduced into an area where they do not naturally occur. AIS can upset ecological stability, outcompete native species, and impact water quality, thereby affecting the commercial and recreational uses that depend on aquatic ecosystems and ecosystem services. The economic cost of AIS (both in terms of damage and expenditure related to control) is difficult to quantify but has been estimated at around $9 billion annually in the United States . Understanding how AIS are entering California is crucial, because once invasive species have established themselves in a new area they can become extremely difficult to eradicate.
Project Background
In 2008, the OPC called for the development of risk assessments for introductions of AIS into California's coastal and estuarine waters. Some pathways (also known as "vectors") of introduction, such as the unintentional transport of species in the ballast water of freight ships, are relatively well understood; the goal of this project is to build knowledge of lesser-known vectors that pose a significant risk of introducing invasive species to California. The following six vectors were identified as the highest priorities for risk assessments:
- commercial fishing
- recreational boating
- live bait
- live imported seafood
- aquariums and aquascaping
- aquaculture
About the Project
Because it spans across multi-disciplinary science and policy, OST was ideally situated to manage this OPC project. OST assembled three teams of aquatic invasive species experts, each of which studied two of the high priority vectors listed above. The teams used a combination of literature and database review, with direct sampling and interviews as appropriate.
For the Vector Assessment Reports:
- Live Saltwater Bait and the Introduction of Non-native Species into California
- Live Marine Seafood and the Introduction of Non-native Species into California
- An Analysis of Aquaculture as a Vector for Introduced Marine and Estuarine Species in California
- A Vector Analysis of the Aquarium and Aquascape ('Ornamental Species') Trades in California
- Recreational Vessels as Vectors for Non-native Marine Species in California
- The Role of Fishing Vessels as Vectors for Marine and Estuarine Species in California
OST is now conducting a multidisciplinary risk analysis across the vectors, which will result in more specific recommendations to the state about the relative risks of each vector and the costs and opportunities of management options.
Additional Documents and Links
- AIS Project Summary Handout
- Invasive Species Council of California
- National Invasive Species Council
- California Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan
For further details contact Errin Kramer-Wilt, Associate Scientist
