AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES NEWS
Provided by: Tammy Davis / Invasive Species Program Coordinator ADF&G
1/25/16
DREISSENID MUSSELS
Discovery of adult quagga mussel at Canyon Lake could
impact recreational and municipal water users (1/14/16)<http://azgfd.net/artman/publish/NewsMedia/Discovery-of-adult-quagga-mussel-at-Canyon-Lake-could-impact-recreational-and-municipal-water-users.shtml>
PHOENIX -- In mid-December of 2015, personnel from the
Arizona Game and Fish Department's Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Program
positively identified an adult quagga mussel attached to the hull of a boat
recently removed from Canyon Lake, a major recreational lake on the Tonto
National Forest. <http://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto/>
………“The Department recognizes that finding one adult quagga mussel and
indications of reproduction do not mean total infestation at the lake,” said
Tom McMahon, AZGFD aquatic invasive species program coordinator. “But all
recreationists and boaters need to remember to clean, drain and dry their
watercraft and equipment after every use to minimize the looming threat of a
full-blown infestation in this system, and perhaps statewide.”….
Related Story: Discovery of adult mussel in central
Arizona lake could impact water users (1/15/16)<http://ktar.com/story/855222/discovery-of-adult-mussel-in-central-arizona-lake-could-impact-water-users/>
Okanagan: Urgent need to prevent invasive mussels –
Letter from the OBWB to Federal Ministers<http://www.obwb.ca/urgent-need-to-prevent-invasive-mussels-letter-from-the-obwb-to-federal-ministers/>
The letter has been sent recognizing that there are now
new ministers in charge of this file and a recent report<http://www.pnwer.org/uploads/2/3/2/9/23295822/advancing_a_regional_defense_against_dreissenids_in_the_pacific_northwestfinal.pdf>
from the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region has estimated that zebra and quagga
mussels could cost the Pacific Northwest $5 billion per year….
Editor’s Note: The estimated cost should read $500 million, not $5
billion.
Invasive zebra mussels not so troubling (12/17/15)<http://www.stowetoday.com/things_to_do/outside/invasive-zebra-mussels-not-so-troubling/article_90f0181c-a5b3-11e5-a83c-9b576449b74c.html>
………On balance, I would rather have a lake without zebra
mussels than with them. But unless ways are found to eliminate them, it will
remain important to understand how they affect native species…..
Dreissenid Mussel Research Priorities Workshop (November
2015) <http://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/centerforlakes_pub/49/>
On November 4-5, 2015, the Aquatic Bioinvasion Research
and Policy Institute and the Center for Lakes and Reservoirs at Portland State
University, the US Geological Survey, and the Pacific States Marine Fisheries
Commission, convened a Dreissenid Mussel Research Priorities Workshop funded by
the Great Northern Landscape Conservation Cooperative. The purpose of the
workshop was to review dreissenid research priorities in the 2010 Quagga-Zebra
Mussel Action Plan for Western U.S. Waters, reassess those priorities,
incorporate new information and emerging trends, and develop priorities to
strategically focus research efforts on zebra and quagga mussels in the Pacific
Northwest and ensure that future research is focused on the highest
priorities…..
AR: Zebra mussel infestation: Here’s why Norfork Lake
really doesn’t want them (1/19/16)<http://www.baxterbulletin.com/story/news/local/2016/01/19/zebra-mussel-infestation-norfork-lake-really-want/79017462/>
Norfork Lake in north central Arkansas is full of big
striped bass, just like its nearby neighbor Bull Shoals Lake. But unlike Bull
Shoals, Norfork has yet to be infested with razor-sharp invasive zebra mussels.
The U.S. Army Corps wants to keep it that way, and here’s why. “We’re already
seeing their impact at Bull Shoals Lake and it’s not good,” said Bruce
Caldwell, a natural resource biologist with the Corps. “They are extremely
productive and will spread through a lake at amazing rates. They will attach
and encrust on anything in the lake — dock chain, ropes, boat hulls, water
intakes at the dam.”…..
ID: Fighting invasive mussels: ‘When you’ve got ‘em,
you’ve got ‘em’ (1/21/16) <http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/boise/2016/jan/21/fighting-invasive-mussels-when-youve-got-em-youve-got-em/>
Idaho and a few surrounding states are the last places
where invasive quagga and zebra mussels haven’t taken hold, Montana Rep. Mike
Cuffe, R-Eureka, told the House Resources Committee this afternoon, and a group
of Pacific Northwest states and Canadian provinces want to make sure it stays
that way, using a "regional perimeter defense strategy." Cuffe, representing
the Pacific Northwest Economic Region – a collaborative of five states and five
Canadian provinces that currently is chaired by Idaho Sen. Curt McKenzie – said
a significant step has been made, as a result of pressure from PNWER and others
including Idaho 2nd District Congressman Mike Simpson…..
AZ: Havasu leaders supportive of Ducey's $400K proposed
budget item to battle mussels (1/18/16)<http://www.havasunews.com/news/havasu-leaders-supportive-of-ducey-s-k-proposed-budget-item/article_a4a07822-be70-11e5-94e3-834f68f3c8c9.html>
Governor Doug Ducey submitted his proposed 2017 budget
this week, calling for additional funding to the Arizona Game and Fish
Department in the battle against invasive quagga mussels. The governor
requested $250,000 to fund research into the prevention of quagga mussels
spreading to other bodies of water. He also requested $125,000 from the state’s
Watercraft Licensing Fund for Game and Fish to purchase three mobile
decontamination units and a truck to transport them to waterways throughout the
state…..
BOAT INSPECTION/DECON NEWS
Alien species fly on the wings of ducks and other
waterbirds (1/14/16)<https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/wild-things/alien-species-fly-wings-ducks-and-other-waterbirds>
……So researchers looked closely at where the invaders
lived and saw that lakes with boat access were often home to invasive species,
while remote lakes were not. People and their boats — not birds or other
wildlife* — must be the ones
transporting the troublesome species, the researchers concluded…..
*WIDNR: Monitoring confirms that boaters, not ducks,
moving aquatic invasive species around (3/5/13)<http://dnr.wi.gov/news/weekly/article/?id=2495>
BALLAST WATER
Criteria for entry into force of BWM Convention not yet
reached – further ratifications needed (1/15/16)<http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/02-bwm-count.aspx>
Following the spate of ratifications in November 2015 of
the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention, IMO and partner IHS Maritime
& Trade have been engaged in a process to verify tonnage figures to
ascertain whether or not the convention’s final entry-into-force requirement
has been met. Although that process is not yet complete, and will continue for
up to three more weeks, IMO is in a position to confirm that the November
ratifications did not trigger the convention’s entry into force. Forty-seven countries have now ratified the
convention, substantially more than the 30 required, but their combined fleets
comprise, at most, 34.56 per cent of global tonnage, with 35 per cent required
for entry into force……
The continuing debacle over ratifying the ballast water
convention (1/19/16)<http://www.seatrade-maritime.com/news/americas/the-continuing-debacle-over-ratifying-the-ballast-water-convention.html>
…..The tale of the bringing the BWM Convention to global
enforcement verges on a comedy, but unfortunately that it is a comedy that can
be used against the IMO in its rightful role as the global regulator for a
global shipping industry….
Namibia: Biofouling Guidelines to Result in a Convention
(1/14/16)<http://allafrica.com/stories/201601140458.html>
The guidelines for the control and management of ships'
biofouling developed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)<http://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/Biofouling/Pages/default.aspx>
in 2011 could result in a convention to address this problem facing the world's
oceans, says a senior official in the Ministry of Works and Transport….
MARINE
How the Japanese tsunami sent marine invaders across the
ocean – and why you should be worried (1/17/16)<http://theconversation.com/how-the-japanese-tsunami-sent-marine-invaders-across-the-ocean-and-why-you-should-be-worried-53107>
When the tsunami waters withdrew from the devastated
coast of Japan in March 2011 they took with them a vast amount of debris
consisting of potentially millions of objects<https://disasterdebris.wordpress.com/>,
and sent it rafting across the Pacific Ocean. On this debris came a host of
Japanese marine animals and plants – in fact, more than 300 living species have
so far been found to have washed ashore in North America and Hawaii.
Astonishingly, after an ocean journey of more than 5,000 km and nearly five
years, these species continue to arrive in the United States and Canada….
Related Link: NOAA
Marine Debris Program/Tsunami<http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/current-efforts/emergency-response/japan-tsunami-marine-debris>
FISH
Release virus to rid Australia of carp, fishers, farmers
and environmentalists declare (1/13/16)<http://www.smh.com.au/environment/release-virus-to-rid-australia-of-carp-fishers-farmers-and-environmentalists-declare-20160112-gm460l.html>
A virus that kills carp should be used to help rid
Australian rivers of the destructive feral fish species, a unique coalition of
anglers, farmers and conservationists have declared. Some of the nation's
biggest fishing, farming and green groups say governments now have a once in a
generation opportunity to use "biological controls" for carp, and
they should commit funds to that end…..
ODFW plans to stock tiger trout in Diamond Lake to battle
Tui chub (1/15/16)<http://www.dfw.state.or.us/news/2016/01_jan/011516b.asp>
ROSEBURG, Ore – The Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife plans to add tiger trout to its standard Diamond Lake rainbow trout
stocking this June. These brook and brown trout hybrids are reproductively
sterile and known to prey on smaller fish – biologists are banking on them to
help keep tui chub in check. A single tui chub was found in a trap net this
past fall, and biologists know all too well their life history of explosive
population growth in Diamond Lake. “We know what chub are capable of in Diamond
Lake, and we are working with our partners to get ahead of the curve. We looked
at many options, and tiger trout came out on top,” says Greg Huchko, Umpqua
District Fish Biologist. “We wanted to stock a mix of brown and tiger trout,
but only tigers are available this year. We will be looking into sterile brown
trout for next year in addition to tiger trout.” …..
MT: Illegal fish harm coldwater systems (1/15/16) <http://www.thewesternnews.com/members/illegal-fish-harm-coldwater-systems/article_707bd0f2-bb9e-11e5-8c0f-477b023238d7.html>
The cost of illegal fish introductions and invasive
species has already been great…… Guest Commentary: Jim Williams, Supervisor,
Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks; Chip Weber, Supervisor, Flathead National
Forest; Jeff Mow, Superintendent, Glacier National Park; Tom McDonald, Fish,
Wildlife, Recreation and Conservation Division Manager, Confederated Salish and
Kootenai Tribes; Steve Frye, Area Manager, Montana Department of Natural
Resources and Conservation.
Council Considers More Money for Pike Removal: ‘An
Alarming Increase In Pike Abundance’ (1/15/16)<http://www.cbbulletin.com/435860.aspx>
Two projects that are under review by the Budget
Oversight Group, known as BOG, will go before the Northwest Power and
Conservation Council for funding approval at the Council’s meeting in February.
One of the projects would add about an additional 5 percent to a project to
remove Northern Pike from Lake Roosevelt. According to the project request, the
non-native rapacious predator has been found with “increasing frequency in Lake
Roosevelt since 2009.” .............
NWPCC: Can We Measure Impact of Predator Management
Actions Intended To Protect ESA-Listed Salmon/Steelhead (1/15/16)<http://www.cbbulletin.com/435861.aspx>
……The decision was made this week at its meeting in
Portland. Removed from a draft letter was a much more comprehensive request to
the ISAB that included a complete review of the effectiveness of predator
management programs in the basin. Those programs and management options include
predatory fish (pike minnow, Northern Pike, smallmouth bass), birds
(cormorants, gulls and terns) and marine mammals, particularly seals and sea
lions……….
AQUACULTURE
Senator Murkowski: “Voluntary Labeling of GE Salmon is
Not Adequate” (1/12/16)<http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=ee9cdd89-a3c0-4151-abe4-b610d0939fb6>
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) continued her
fight against genetically engineered (GE) salmon by announcing in the Senate
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee that she would block
confirmation proceedings of the nominee to be FDA Commissioner, Dr. Robert
Califf, on the Senate floor if her concerns are not resolved. Murkowski made
clear that she intends to block Dr. Califf’s confirmation until she receives
assurance from the FDA that it will require mandatory labeling of GE salmon as
it becomes available for human consumption….
Murkowski Continues Fight Against Frankenfish, Moves to
Block FDA Commissioner Nominee<http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=ee9cdd89-a3c0-4151-abe4-b610d0939fb6>
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) continued her
fight against genetically engineered (GE) salmon by announcing in the Senate
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee that she would block
confirmation proceedings of the nominee to be FDA Commissioner, Dr. .......
[MORE]<http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=ee9cdd89-a3c0-4151-abe4-b610d0939fb6>
NOAA Expands Opportunities for U.S. Aquaculture
(1/11/16)<http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/stories/2016/01/offshore_aq_rule.html>
On January 11, NOAA published a final rule<https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/01/13/2016-00147/fisheries-of-the-caribbean-gulf-and-south-atlantic-aquaculture>
implementing our nation’s first regional regulatory program for offshore
aquaculture in federal waters. In doing so, NOAA is expanding opportunities for
U.S. seafood farming in the open ocean. NOAA and our partners are working to
advance and expand U.S. aquaculture, as a complement to wild harvests, to keep
our fisheries sustainable and resilient to growing demand. The new rule took
into account thousands of public comments and authorizes NOAA Fisheries to
issue permits for an initial period of 10 years for growing species such as red
drum, cobia, and almaco jack in federal waters in the Gulf….
Related Story: US offshore plan faces legal challenge
(1/19/16)<http://www.fishupdate.com/us-offshore-plan-faces-legal-challenge/>
ISA claims rubbished (1/11/16)<http://www.fishfarmingexpert.com/news/isa-claims-rubbished/>
A recent paper<http://virologyj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12985-015-0459-1?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter>
published in Virology Journal, which claims to have found infectious salmon
anaemia virus (ISAv), for the first time ever, in British Columbia salmon, has
caused outrage for its shoddy methodology and has been labelled a blatant
exercise in scaremongering by both Canada’s salmon farming and scientific
communities….
Mariculture-induced introduction of cobia Rachycentron
canadum, a large predatory fish, in the Tropical Eastern Pacific (1/22/16)<http://www.reabic.net/journals/bir/2016/Accepted.aspx>
The cobia Rachycentron canadum is a highly valued fish by
aquaculture producers and anglers. In spite of its wide-ranging distribution in
tropical and subtropical seas, this species was absent in the Tropical Eastern
Pacific until recently. In 2013 the government of Ecuador allowed the
cultivation of cobia in offshore cages and in April 2015 three cages were
deployed in Ecuadorian waters of the Pacific Ocean (Jaramijó, Manabí). Cobias escaped
from one of these cages in August 2015 and we present the first report of R.
canadum in the Colombian Pacific coast, ca. 600 km from the Ecuadorian escape
locality. This is the first report of its occurrence for the entire Tropical
Eastern Pacific biogeographical region. Given its predatory nature, it is to
investigate the potential ecological and socio-economic consequences of the
introduction of the cobia in the region.
OTHER
MT: A new way to
look for invasive species using eDNA (1/23/16)<http://www.dailyinterlake.com/members/a-new-way-to-look-for-invasive-species-using-edna/article_e7b7ff08-c17d-11e5-8795-2f3e42d61d31.html>
…… the lab will start testing with a small unmanned
submarine that will take water quality and eDNA samples and process them in
real time inside the vehicle and beam the results back to shore. Luikart also
received funding to start design on another sampler that will sit in place at
heavily used sites to take samples over time to monitor for invasive species…..
Potential problems of removing one invasive species at a
time: Interactions between invasive vertebrates and unexpected effects of
removal programs (1/15/16)<https://peerj.com/preprints/1651.pdf>
…We used a literature search and meta-analysis to assess
current understanding of how the removal of one invasive vertebrate affects
native biodiversity relative to when two invasives are present…..
AK: Birds are returning to a rodent-free island formerly
known as Rat (1/15/16)<https://www.adn.com/article/20160115/birds-are-returning-rodent-free-island-formerly-known-rat>
On the island formerly known as Rat, the rats are gone
and the birds are back. So says a study<http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10530-015-1042-9>
by biologists that evaluated conditions at a remote Aleutian island five years
after it was bombarded with rat-poison-laden pellets in one of the world’s
most-watched rat-removal campaigns….
Sampling Design for Early Detection of Aquatic Invasive
Species in Great Lakes Ports (1/12/16)<http://fisheries.org/2016/01/sampling-design-for-early-detection-of-aquatic-invasive-species-in-great-lakes-ports/>
….Our pilot monitoring program with its adaptive cycle of
assessment, refinement, and implementation provides a performance-based
approach to increase AIS detection efficiency over the course of a survey and
within practical re- source constraints….[Full Paper = $$$$]
WEEDS
MT: Underwater invaders: Many invasive species pose
threats to lake (1/23/16)<http://www.dailyinterlake.com/members/underwater-invaders-many-invasive-species-pose-threats-to-lake/article_265e6d62-c22f-11e5-b63e-87a799de6424.html>
…..How, then, to keep flowering rush from taking over
other parts of Montana? With Peter Rice at the University of Montana, Dupuis is
now trying to develop a method to eradicate the plant in small plots by
applying herbicide during lower water in the spring. So far the growth has been
reduced by 95 percent……
JOBS/POSITIONS/GRANTS
WDFW: Request for Qualifications and Quotations, Gap
Analysis of State and Federal Ballast Water And Biofouling Vessel Management
Regulations<http://www.washingtonbids.com/bid-opportunities/2016/01/13/6784989-Request-for-Qualifications-and-Quotations--Gap-Analysis-of-State-and-Federal-Ballast-Water-and-Biofouling-Vessel-Management-Regulations.html>
The purpose of this work is to assist the Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) in its mission to protect the
ecological, economic, and human health of Puget Sound by preventing the
intentional or unintentional introduction of marine and nearshore aquatic invasive species (AIS) through
vessel-related ballast water and biofouling pathways that are under Washington
State jurisdiction.
Expected Time Period For Contract: February 22, 2016 to
June 15, 2016
Bidder Proposals Due (email only): February 5, 2016 by
4:00 p.m.
BC Ministry of Environment: Compliance and Enforcement
Position with the Provincial Invasive Mussel Defence Program<http://bcinvasives.ca/documents/Job_Posting-_Invasive_Mussel_Defence_Program.pdf>
The Province has employment opportunities for the second year
of its Invasive Mussel Defence Program, that has a particular focus on boater
education and inspection along the eastern and southern entry points into B.C.
Applicants with a diploma, certification or equivalent in a related discipline
such as Natural Resource Protection, investigation and enforcement, or
criminology will be given preference. Strong candidates with a Biology or
Environmental Science will also be considered.
Application Deadline: Monday Feb. 1st, 2016. Job Posting
Here<http://bcinvasives.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e33c86939a981667760e6a3a2&id=9203e05a8f&e=53efa920da>
FlowCam: Aquatic Research Equipment and Travel Grant
Opportunity<http://www.fluidimaging.com/about/research-grants/aquatic-research?utm_campaign=General+Branding&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=24878058&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8tK7-lXsN5Hoqm9P1mcLoOvio9sWNAqZcl29gwM8cbR5PZfhufId5PmfKzWC2HVIephY6u9J0E-kDMRLdmIS1NeBhLSg&_hsmi=24878058>
We're pleased to offer our Aquatic Research Equipment and
Travel Grant for the sixth year in a row! Our grant is open to graduate
students and senior undergraduates enrolled at a North American college or
university who are studying marine or freshwater ecosystems, having a focus on
microorganisms. Students whose research involves the study of marine or
freshwater microbial systems are encouraged to apply for the use of a FlowCam
to support their research. Proposals are due March 31, 2016. Get the details here<http://info.fluidimaging.com/e1t/c/*W3Tzh3t3RSzDnW8nN2BG2vf69W0/*W3gQ77f83FbBQVfwhdW3Zzz9P0/5/f18dQhb0S1Xm28_NrPM1vjj8jk6bgW17hKjv23ylb6N3QzVYD9BLYPW3_h0Yz5dgbVNW8nZY6l8TXTkhW3pG9pr3fFHXVW27VpGb28dx0CW4bBMXh7Pft3kW9lNvYJ5lTV1wW2qGDLb3PVc3HW6lFD426-Kd1FVqBJxW42slN8W101_fN3x9_zgW2mwg3g8pn3szVC5wGx5b-_7YN3D_2XwrTNcdW1KZq3256Fb3KV3sMG_6pyPBcW722jZd4jDX29W7Gxlbp17KwPDVxt3Ns6sZp20VClLq88wgkv8W8XWXz-65qdFDW3RsDLl8lmL20VqftmW2wkjtHW5Z4sbD63kg8nW6g_CNv8_3mN6N6qWNXNB_tMhW3Y1VlK76rh1sW43JpxM5sBL3MW6jYnWq5Ym8nbW5_5khL55GzT5W3K8qJ36GLdMkW4rFhWH2yrwmGW9lCRQn972Tc0W5cMfY_6p1QW4W8LPX9r4Qbk5_W1WSrZd73VNpVW2HVLbp29yXY3W4C5zJ195gtswW2LtN9P6ZmpGkW6WNPr57TVP5tN8x5Vgbr6Mfsf3G_xsq11>
TRAININGS/WEBINARS
Invasive Species Webinars During National Invasive
Species Awareness Week<http://www.nisaw.org/meetings/2016/2016-webinar/>
Monday, February 22, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST: Let’s take a
hack at hack and squirt individual plant treatments<https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/226392015249571330>
Tuesday, February 23, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST: Volunteers
Make a Difference in an Early Detection Rapid Response Citizen Science
Program<https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7109241346639031042>
Wednesday, February 24, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST: Protecting
the Sierra Nevada from Invasive Plants: Incorporating Climate Adaptation into
Wildland Weed Management<https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1005996336877726722>
Thursday, February 25, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST: Weed
Wrangle: A Template for Engaging Local
Communities through Citywide Invasive Plant Events<https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5339156268780177666>
Archived Invasive Mussel Collaborative webinar: Case
Studies in Zebra and Quagga Mussel Control for Inland Waterbodies (1/11/16)<http://www.invasivemusselcollaborative.net/resources.html>
Presenters:
Brian VanZee, Texas Parks and Wildlife
Ray Fernald and Brian Watson, Virginia Department of Game
and Inland Fisheries Keegan Lund and Kylie Cattoor, Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources
The entire webinar is now available online at: View the webinar recording<https://youtu.be/OXLTYjg9VlY>
FEDERAL/STATE/PROVINCIAL
LEGISLATION, ACTIONS
Feinstein Releases Discussion Draft of California Drought
Relief Bill (1/21/16)<http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=F5E9B55A-0A7B-45A5-88B0-409419F9A921>
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) released new draft
legislation addressing California's ongoing drought, saying it represents the
best possible compromise among the state's warring water factions. The 91-page
discussion draft<http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?a=files.serve&File_id=0B1B2570-F99B-4BCF-9F2A-5A652BF7444A>
is aimed both at maximizing short-term water deliveries during the current El
Niño storms and at increasing water supply long term through boosting water
storage, desalination, water recycling and other projects.
Included in the bill is the following (see page 54 of
draft bill for full invasive text):
(b) Establishment.—The Secretary of Commerce, acting
through the 29 Assistant Administrator of the National Marine Fisheries
Service, and the 30 districts, in consultation with the Director of the
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, shall jointly establish and conduct
a nonnative predator research and pilot fish removal program to study the
effects of removing from the Stanislaus River—
(1) nonnative striped bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth
bass, black bass; and
(2) other nonnative predator fish species.
Lake Tahoe Bill Clears Senate Committee (1/20/16)<http://www.rgj.com/story/news/politics/2016/01/20/bill-improve-lake-tahoe-clears-senate-committee-dc/79069528/>
Democrats and Republicans found a rare subject they could
agree on Wednesday: Lake Tahoe and surrounding land is worth improving and
protecting. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee easily passed the
Lake Tahoe Restoration Act of 2015 (S.1724<https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/s1724>)
by voice vote and sent it to the full Senate. The bill authorizes $415 million
in federal funds over 10 years to improve the clarity of the lake, reduce the
potential for severe forest fires on the surrounding land, and prevent the
spread of invasive species. This bill provides $45 million to prevent the
introduction of the quagga mussel and manage other harmful invasive species
like the Asian clam, and includes lake-wide aquatic invasive species control
and funding for Tahoe’s watercraft <http://tahoeboatinspections.com/>
inspection program<http://tahoeboatinspections.com/>.
Note: The House version of the legislation, H.R. 3382<https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr3382/BILLS-114hr3382ih.pdf>,
has garnered some controversy as a bill to promote tree thinning and other
wildfire suppression policies. H.R. 3382 includes the following language for
invasive species management/watercraft inspection:
“(1) IN GENERAL.—Of the amounts appropriated for a fiscal
year pursuant to the authorization of appropriations in subsection (a) of
section 12, as amended by section 8 of the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act of 2015,
not less than $800,000 shall be transferred to the Director of the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service for the Aquatic Invasive Species Program and
for the watercraft inspections and decontaminations described in paragraph (2).
Related Story: Tahoe Restoration Act Passes Committee
(1/20/16)<http://www.kolotv.com/content/news/Tahoe-Restoration-Act-Passes-Committee-365954331.html>
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2015 Out of
Committee<https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/s1024>
On 1/20/16 the Senate - Environment and Public Works
committee passed the "Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2015 (S.
1024<https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/s1024/BILLS-114s1024is.pdf>).
This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the
Clean Water Act) to authorize the Environmental Protection Agency's Great Lakes
Restoration Initiative for FY2016-FY2020. The Initiative must prioritize and
carry out programs and projects for Great Lakes protection and restoration, including:
(1) the remediation of toxic substances and areas of
concern;
(2) the prevention and control of invasive species and
their impacts;
(3) the protection and restoration of near-shore health
and the prevention and mitigation of nonpoint source pollution (water pollution
that comes from many diffuse sources, such as pollution on the ground picked up
by rain or snow); and
(4) habitat and wildlife protection and restoration.
Funding made available to implement the Initiative may
not be used for any water infrastructure activity (other than a green
infrastructure project that improves habitat and other ecosystem functions in
the Great Lakes) for which funding is made available under the clean water or
drinking water state revolving fund program. Federal agencies must maintain the
base level of funding for their Great Lakes activities without regard to
funding under the Initiative and identify new activities to support the
environmental goals of the Initiative. [Note: The initiative received $300
million in last December's omnibus spending package<http://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20151214/CPRT-114-HPRT-RU00-SAHR2029-AMNT1final.pdf>,
$50 million more than the president committed last February in his annual
budget request.]
Alaska Legislature: House Bill will prohibit the sale of
genetically modified fish (1/19/16)<http://akdemocrats.org/rep_tarr/2016/01/19/news-representative-tarr-introduces-legislation-to-protect-wild-alaska-salmon/>
JUNEAU – Today, Representative Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage)
introduced legislation aimed at protecting wild Alaska salmon and thriving,
sustainable fisheries. House Bill 258
will prohibit the sale of genetically modified fish, dubbed “Frankenfish,” in
the state of Alaska. House Joint
Resolution 28 denounces the U.S. Food and Drug administration’s recent approval
of AquaBounty’s AquAdvantage genetically engineered salmon. This is the first time a genetically modified
animal has been approved by the FDA for human consumption…..
Listing Salamanders as Injurious Due to Risk of Salamander Chytrid Fungus
(January 12, 2016)<http://www.fws.gov/injuriouswildlife/salamanders.html>
To help prevent a deadly fungus from killing native
salamanders, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is publishing an interim rule
tomorrow to list 201 salamander species as injurious wildlife under the Lacey
Act. The fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, also known as Bsal or
salamander chytrid, is carried on the skin of various salamander species. Bsal
has caused major die-offs of salamanders in Europe and poses an imminent threat
to U.S. native salamander populations. The fungus is not yet known to be found
in the United States, and to help ensure it remains that way, the Service is
publishing an interim rule that will take effect on January 28, 2016. At that
time, the importation and interstate transportation of the listed species will
be prohibited. The rule also opens a 60-day public comment period (please see
the rule in the Federal Register for instructions on how to submit a public
comment).
News Release<http://www.fws.gov/injuriouswildlife/pdf_files/Bsal_News_Release_F.pdf>
“Service Lists 201 Salamander Species as Injurious to Help Keep Lethal Fungus
Out of U.S." January 12, 2016
Interim rule<http://www.fws.gov/policy/library/2016/2016-00452.pdf>
(pdf) in Federal Register on January 13, 2016
Please see the first page of the Interim Rule for
instructions on how to submit public comments. The comment period ends on March
14, 2016.
Related Story: USGS Report: Invasive Amphibian Fungus
Could Threaten US Salamander Populations
<http://www.cbbulletin.com/435903.aspx>
MEETINGS
JANUARY
Idaho Noxious Weed Conference<http://www.idahoweedcontrol.org/weedconference.html>: January 27-28th. Boise.
FEBRUARY
Infocast's 3rd Ballast Water Management Summit Long
Beach, CA, February 09-11, 2016 | Long Beach Marriott | Long Beach, CA<http://www.infocastinc.com/events/ballast-water-management/registration>
INVASIVES 2016: Invasive Species Council of BC's
Public Forum & AGM,<http://bcinvasives.ca/news-events/events/invasives-2016-iscbcs-forum-agm>
will be held Feb. 2-3, 2016 at the
Pacific Gateway Hotel in Richmond, BC. Everyone welcome! Enjoy two
action-filled days of learning, networking and sharing with
colleagues from across North America. REGISTER<https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/?eventid=1682557>.
National Invasive Species Awareness Week 2016: Save The
Date! February 21 – 27, 2016. Check www.nisaw.org<http://www.nisaw.org>
for the NISAW Toolkit for planning local events and the NISAW Event Locator –
as well as more specific dates, details, event schedules, complete lists of
partners and further developments and other potential events in Washington,
DC!.
MARCH
The next meeting of the Idaho Invasive Species Council is
scheduled for March 16th, 2016 at the Idaho State Department of Agriculture
headquarters in Boise. Topics to be discussed will include:
•
Watercraft inspection program summary for 2015 and operation plans for
2016.
• Hydrilla
EDRR update.
• New
invasive species / noxious weed outreach efforts.
• Invasive
insect pest program update.
• Strategic
Plan evaluation.
• Partner
updates.
For further information contact Thomas E. Woolf Thomas.Woolf@ISDA.IDAHO.GOV<mailto:Thomas.Woolf@ISDA.IDAHO.GOV>
International Maritime Organization (IMO) GloBallast
R&D Forum and Exhibition on Ballast Water Management will be held from
16-18 March 2016. Conference website: http://www.ballast2016.com/.
The International Control of Invasive Aquatic Vegetation
for the Upper Columbia River System Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA)
annual meeting is scheduled for March 24, from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., and
will be held at the Confluence Technology Center in Wenatchee. For further Information contact Joan Mason jmason@co.okanogan.wa.us<mailto:jmason@co.okanogan.wa.us>
APRIL
ICAIS: 19th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive
Species<http://www.icais.org/>
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; April 10-14, 2016. Early Registration -- February
19, 2016.
MAY
The Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society<http://conferences.aehms.org/mfis-argentina/>
Marine & Freshwater Invasive Species Ecology, Impact and Management, Buenos
Aires, Argentina, May 2-4, 2016.
14th Ballast Water Management Conference:<http://www.wplgroup.com/aci/event/ballast-water-management-summit-usa/>
Date: 4th May 2016 - 5th May 2016 Location: Baltimore - MD - USA
100th Meridian Initiative’s Columbia River Basin
Team: May 24 & 25, Spokane,
Washington.
JULY
PNWER<http://www.pnwer.org/>
26th Annual Summit – July 17-21 Calgary
OCTOBER
Western Regional Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species: <http://www.fws.gov/answest/> October 19-21, 2016 - Jackson, WY Upper
Midwest Invasive Species Conference:<http://www.umisc.net/?utm_source=UMISC+2016+La+Crosse+Save+the+Date&utm_campaign=umisc+2016+save+the+date&utm_medium=email>
October 17-19 2016 La Crosse, Wisconsin. Abstracts are now being accepted
through the UMISC website<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001e1GBaykXgW1IzrxK_0HWVCz2xzyFbBfLhL9a0akhrseM2cooAHsRVUqi_YdUkyNCXRsJfy1T0bCDPo14bUFly99qVQ7ELAybmorAHRbQ9UCJWdTaYC_z6JGLuSBhHkobJn3Doeo7jR8Th_gIY1JihYxSFlkr3i-RFDONC1Urmq0S4eScMsCN3Hfo4NYPtjxi-znEUrfSe71oQr66jvVERmJnmNJnE6Bz4i-YLIjFeLVxw64c4ZRtCslY8ZwKHzn4zGNCds4uez_mrvqj8xdH_thCpZ6WVVSH8r8INaupOo_ppaJQ17Zwjh73xrChsaZD2Pz1R3Ifp8DZiLd1WZWxUJGe3vm_u7El&c=o-jgV3dCmn8llzSj8WutpEsNxLwN6jVupEe0QKZ2rhhbH3LNDArwmQ==&ch=8iH9LMPWqTGS8o9PvqKKQJBj-BBtSFR5nIRnLr7u6hEjukpKC8goXg==>.
Only abstracts submitted through the website will be considered. Deadline:
Monday, April 4, 2016
________________
TO UNSUBSCRIBE/SUBSCRIBE to the AIS NEWS email sphillips@psmfc.org<mailto:sphillips@psmfc.org>
Past issues of AIS NEWS can be found @ http://www.westernais.org/ under the “News” tab.
_____________________________________________________
Tammy Davis / Invasive Species Program Coordinator ADF&G
/P.O. Box 115526 / Juneau, AK 99811-5526
P: (907) 465-6183 / C: (907) 209-2492
Be part of the solution… Report Invasive Species:
1-877-INVASIV
