Download Aquatic Invasive Species in Massachusetts

Aquatic Invasive Species in
Massachusetts
What They Are, How They
Get Here, and What We Are
Doing to Keep Them Out.
Jay Baker
Massachusetts Office of Coastal
Zone Management
9/29/2005 presented by Jay Baker at a MIS monitoring training session.
Massachusetts has been working to develop a Aquatic Invasive Species
Management Plan
One of the goals of the Management Plan is to start monitoring networks.
Thought it might be useful to share with you the approach we’ve taken in
developing this comprehensive plan, highlight a few key problems we faced along
the way, and give you some sense of the time frame we’ve been working on
Should note: While the plan covers marine and freshwater invaders, the focus here
is primarily on the marine components
1
Codium fragile ssp. Tomentosoides or green fleece, dead man’s fingers
An introduced species from the Pacific Ocean around Japan is causing some major
problems in Massachusetts.
2
Particularly in West Harwich on Cape Cod.
Tons of codium is washing up on the beaches,
Sitting there, rotting and wrecking the beach experience.
Every day the codium washes up making the beach unusable.
The Town of West Harwich came to CZM (Coastal Zone Management) asking for
suggestions to solve this problem.
3
The best idea so far has been to turn the codium into a Dune Restoration Project.
Bulldozers mix the sand, slipper shells with the codium and pile it into dunes.
The codium needs to attach to something hard. Off the West Harwich shore, the
codium often attaches to common slipper shells (Crepidula fornicata ) which is
found to be prolific in eutrophic waters. As the codium grows, the wave action will
dislodge the shell and algae, eventually washing ashore during high tides.
4
This dune is 8 feet high and 150 yards long.
5
Problem is there is just not enough sand.
Where is all this codium coming from?
6
The green areas on this map of the southeastern section of Cape Cod show the what
was thought to be eelgrass distribution, based on aerial photographs of the region.
7
#
#
##
##
#
##
#
#
#
#
#
#### #
#
#
#
##
## #
#
# #
#
#
####
##
#
#
### ##
#
#
#
#
#
#
##
##
#
## #
#
####
#
#
###
#
##
#
##
##
##
###
# ###
#
# ##
#
##
#
#
However, when the areas were examined more closely by running transects with
underwater cameras, areas of codium were found interspersed throughout the
eelgrass beds. It is not known if the eelgrass is dying off from pollution, leaving
room for the codium to become established, or if the codium is out-competing the
eelgrass.
8
You might be thinking: “Why doesn’t someone use it for fertilizer?”
Here is the lab report that shows that codium is not suitable for composting.
First of all, the conductivity is 89, which means the salt content is very high.
Secondly, two parts bulk material (sawdust, leaves, wood chips) would be need for
every one part of codium. It is just not feasible to use as compost.
No good management option, so for now it remains on the beach.
Question may be asked why is it so bad here and not other places. Need to look at
the nitrogen situation on the Cape. Beach homes with septic systems aare providing
the nitrogen to foster algal blooms.
9
Marine Invasive Species
What Are They?
“Nonindigenous or cryptogenic species that have that threaten the
diversity or abundance of native species or the ecological stability
and/or use of infested waters.”
-Massachusetts Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan
Nonindigenous- a species transported beyond its native range
Cryptogenic- a species of unknown origin
Synonyms- exotic, alien, nuisance
Definitions: preferred term now is “Introduced” since it is not clear that every
introduced non-native species will become invasive.
10
Marine Invasive Species
Why are they so difficult to manage?
Biological pollutants with self sustaining populations
Often have few or no natural predators or pathogens
Native species may be unable to compete with them
Most successful invaders are pioneer or colonizing species adapted
to variable and harsh environmental conditions.
Difficult to manage these biological invaders because once established they are selfsustaining.
Massachusetts has felt the impacts from invasive species, including the green crab
that has been here for the last 180 years or so.
11
The Massachusetts Experience
• Pimentel (1999) estimates a
loss of $44 million per year
due to green crab
introduction
• Carlton (2003) lists 86 known
nonindigenous marine
species in the Northeast and
67 Cryptogenic species
• Pathogens have decimated
shellfish stocks form the
Chesapeake Bay to Atlantic
Canada
• Feared species are knocking
on our door
November 2000 zebra mussel distribution
in the Northeastern US (USGS, 2001)
In a widely cited paper, Pimentel of Cornell university estimates a loss of 44 million
dollars per year due to the collapse of the soft shell clam industry, for which the
green crab is blamed
On the freshwater side, Massachusetts state agencies spend in excess of 200,000
dollars a year on the management of aquatic weeds. As you might guess, we are
hardly making a dent
Beyond established species, there is concern over species encroaching on our waters
which have had devastating impacts in other states (Zebra Mussel). Zebra mussel is
the poster child for introduced species that have become invasive. Note outline of
waterways: Lake Champlain, Hudson River. The one spot were they have been
found in Massachusetts is at Twin Lakes, which is a shared watershed with
Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Otherwise, we don’t know enough about the distribution of invaders or their
potential impacts
12
The Chinese mitten crab is in San Francisco.
Intentional release in 1992- intercepted at airports, illegally imported alive from
Asia because it is considered a food delicacy.
2000-01 $1million in federal funds spent on control methods.
See SSCW Guide to Marine Invaders in the Gulf of Maine for more info.
13
Species of Concern
Established Marine Species
• Green crab (Carcinus maenus)
• Asian shore crab (Hemigrapsis
sanguineus)
• Lace bryozoan (Membranipora
mambranacea)
• Ship worms (Toredo bartschi,
Toredo navalis, Limnoria sp.)
• Ascidians
• Various shellfish pathogens
(MSX, Dermo, SSO, QPX)
• Codium (Codium fragile)
Here are a few of the bad critters, both present in Massachusetts, and threatening.
Green crab came to our coast in 1817 in ship dry ballast (stones)
Asian shore crab found in New Jersey in 1988; made its way to Massachusetts
around 1998-2000.
Lacy crust bryozoan encrusts seaweed fronds, particularly kelp, causing it to break,
which in turn may lead to codium fragile ssp tomentosoides coming to establish the
barrens.
Ascidians common name is sea squirts; generally known as fouling organisms.
Shellfish pathogens
See SSCW Guide to Marine Invaders in the Gulf of Maine for more info.
14
Species of Concern
Threatening Marine Species
•
Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas)
•
Rapa or veined whelk (Rapana
venosa)
•
Nori (Porphyra yezoensis)
•
Caulerpa (Caulerpa taxifolia)
Pacific Northwest’s aquaculture business is very concerned over shellfish
pathogens.
Rapa whelk has invaded the Chesapeake Bay region and is a major predator of
shellfish. The Virginia Institute of Marine Science pays a bounty for live and dead
Rapa venosa to determine the distribution rates and directions.
Nori is a cultured seaweed used in sushi and as fish food. Maine is actively
culturing to reproduce and grow in colder water.
Caulerpa or the “killer algae” has blanketed the Mediterranean sea floor and been
found at the end of a stormdrain pipe in a California lagoon. The one year cost of
eradication effort in one southern California lagoon was more than $1.1 million.
Over and over again it is proven that once non-native species become established it
is a Herculean task to remove or eradicate.
15
How Do They Get Here?
Marine Invasive Species Transport Vectors
The vectors that we’ve chosen to focus on so far are the usual suspects.
Live bait machines – this is how the nuclear worms (long and brightly colored)
from SE Asia arrived. Better to have cut bait in the machines.
A common aquarium plant, hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) and Eurasian
watermilfoil have rendered many Massachusetts lakes and ponds unusable for
fishing, boating, and swimming. One can still go to Petco and buy this without any
warning about its invasive properties.
Another common transport vector is ballast water and aquaculture.
16
Pathways of Introduction
Top Priority Transport Vector Worldwide
Ballast Water
Currently, 45,000 commercial cargo carrying vessels and hundreds of thousands of
recreational vessels cross the oceans, carrying thousands of hitchhiking species.
At least 7,000 different species are likely to be transported in ballast water each
day. Ballast water flows into US harbors at a rate of 2 million gallons per hour.
(Carlton, 1999 and Carlton et al. 1995 from the PEW Oceans Commission Report:
Introduced Species in U.S. Coastal Waters.)
What is needed: compulsory ballast water exchange off shore and research into
ballast water treatment methods.
National Invasive Species Act is federal legislation that gives authority to the U.S.
Coast Guard. Legislation is up for reauthorization.
It requires ballast water exchange outside of U.S. waters.
U.S. Coast Guard needs to be able to increase its enforcement and supervision
capabilities.
17
Pathways of Introduction
Findings
Non ballast pathways are
important vectors
Pet industry imports the greatest
variety of species, the seafood
industry the greatest volume
Industries are discharging
wastewater containing live
organisms
Seafood, bait, and pet companies
were not familiar with the AIS
threat
The European green crab in 1990 made its way to the Pacific coast in California and
Oregon via seaweed with bait worms.
Seafood packaging using plant materials carries who knows what to a new location.
People are unaware of the multitude of species moving in these transport vectors.
18
Pathways of Introduction
Other Pathways
• Pet Trade
• Water Gardens
Hydrilla that is choking Long Pond on Cape Cod probably came from someone’s
water garden.
People need to be trained to ask about the nature of the plant they are buying.
Does it have invasive characteristics:
1. Reproduce easily?
2. Tolerate varying temperatures, moisture, salinity, etc.?
3. Is it opportunistic, adaptable?
And how to discard unwanted seaweeds and animals.
Some quick tips:
Place aquatic seaweeds in sealed plastic bags and put in the trash.
Place seaweeds and/or animals in the freezer for 24 hours before disposal.
19
Pathways of Introduction
Other Pathways
Seafood Industry
Industries need to be made aware of how they are contributing to the problem.
Reasonable, inexpensive methods to reduce the transport of non-natives must be
found.
20
Pathways of Introduction
Other Pathways
Recreational Boating and Fishing
Maine is the first state legislature to establish tough regulations for boaters and a
campaign to educate the public.
Boaters must purchase a sticker ($15 resident/$30 nonresident) that is placed on the
boat saying “Don’t spread invasives”.
The money goes to supporting the state invasive species program.
State enforcement can also write tickets and fines up to $200 to boaters caught
transporting invasives or not having clean hulls.
21
Pathways of Introduction
Other Pathways
• Aquaculture
• Marine Research and
Supply
C O L L E C T IO N S
A S2
B IO -D IS P LA Y C O LLE C TIO N
B IO -IN S TR U C TIO N C O LLE C TIO N
LA 1
LIV E M A R IN E A LG A E
A S S O R TM E N T (6-8 species)
A S1
$1 25.0 0
$1 25.0 0
$5 6.00
C N 28A
S P O N G E C O LLE C TIO N (5
species)
C N ID A R IA N C O LLE C TIO N (6-8
species)
A R 14 2 A
A R TH R O P O D C O LLE C TIO N (9-12
species)
$9 5.00
M L 2 18 A
M O LLU S C C O LLE C TIO N (11-13
species)
$9 0.00
E N 308A
E C H IN O D E R M C O LLE C TIO N
11 species)
$9 0.00
U R 355A
TU N IC A TE C O LLE C TIO N (5
species)
P R 8A
$5 0.00
$7 5.00
(9-
$5 0.00
The internet still is a means of non-native species distribution.
Most anything can be found.
Need to keep educating everyone.
22
Pathways of Introduction
Other Pathways
Internet Sales
Caulerpa Feathery
Variety
(Caulerpa sp)
$14.00
SAI059
Federal law makes buying or owning Caulerpa taxifolia illegal, but one can still
buy Caulerpa species, whatever that is.
23
Pathways of Introduction
Other Pathways
Bait Industry
Fishermen may hang bait bag over the side or release what they do not use, never
realizing that they might be introducing another non-native species with invasive
possibilities.
24
What Are We Doing About Marine
Invasive Species?
25
Massachusetts Aquatic Invasive
Species Management Plan
Massachusetts Aquatic Invasive Species Working Group
Prepared by the Massachusetts Office
of Coastal Zone Management
Massachusetts has been working to develop a Aquatic Invasive Species
Management Plan
The working group consists of state agencies, academics and the Nature
Conservancy.
The regional network meets twice a year.
26
Management Objectives and
Actions
Categories of Strategic Actions
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Coordination
Prevention
Monitoring
Early Detection
Control
Education
Research
Legislation
94 Tasks identified so far
Decided to focus on prevention and education, with the hopes of early detection of
new nonindigenous species so that early eradication is possible.
Good start on identifying priorities-doing as much as we can at this point
The next step is to develop some specific strategies to deal with them
Much of the information needed for this section is coming out of these subgroups:
The limitations in information we have found can be turned into objectives for
research and monitoring
…but there are some other categories we need to address. No slide but these are:
1) Coordination
2) Prevention
3) early detection
4) control (existing populations)
5) education
We’ve begun to address these issues, and I don’t have time to outline them all, but
some highlights include
27
Coordinating Management
Activities
Dedicate a minimum of two full
time employees to AIS
management (one freshwater and
one coastal)
Establish a Northeast Regional
Panel of the Federal Aquatic
Nuisance Species Task Force
Some of the steps that have been taken.
28
Preventing the Introduction and
Spread of Marine Invaders
STOP
Recreational Boating and
The Spread of…
Fishing
Eurasian Milfoil
Eurasian Milfoil
Fanwort
Variable Milfoil
Zebra Mussel
NUSIANCE AQUATIC
PLANTS AND ANIMALS
Boater education
HELP PROTECT OUR LAKES AND PONDS
Distribute AIS educational materials
with boater registration packets
• Remove ALL plants and animals from boat,
trailer, anchors, fishing gear and dive gear.
• Flush engines and dispose of bait, bilge water
and bait bucket water on land away from shore.
• Never release any plant or animal into a body of
water, unless it came out of that body of water.
• Dispose of all foreign matter far from water!
For information or to report an infestation, please contact:
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Lakes and Ponds Program
EOEA Secretary
Ellen Roy Herzfelder
1-617-626-1382 or 1-617-626-1411
or visit www.mass.gov/lakesandponds
DCR Commissioner
Katherine F. Abbott
29
Preventing the Introduction and
Spread of Marine Invaders
Pet Trade
Conduct education and planning
workshops for major industries
Develop outreach materials
Have conducted workshops for Pet Store owners, mainly the local, small mom and
pop stores.
Low attendance, probably difficult to get the time away from the store.
The big stores and pet organizations (Petco and Walmarts) are becoming active
promoters of responsible distribution. They are adding signage and advertising
about the spread of invasive species. There may be some matching federal funds to
help this along.
30
Preventing the Introduction and
Spread of Marine Invaders
Conservation Commissions
Provide information to Con Coms
on how invasive species might be
spread through development
activities
Develop model Orders of
Condition for minimizing the
introduction and spread of
invaders
Massachusetts MACC website has set up an invasive clearinghouse.
Discusses the importance of seed dispersal at any disturbance site.
Fill needs to be inspected as well as the vehicles working in the area or moving fill.
31
Preventing the Introduction and
Spread of Marine Invaders
General Public
Educate the public about what
they can do to prevent
introductions
Many organizations are working to produce educational material like CZM’s
booklet on Biological Invaders
32
Monitoring for Marine Invaders
Rapid Assessment Survey of
floating docks along the Gulf
of Maine
Train citizens groups to
monitor for AIS
Assess risks of the
introduction of priority species
Copy of the 2003 RAS: http://
web.mit.edu/seagrant/pubs/
Rapid assessment surveys of floating docks have been conducted throughout New
England
See the publication of the 2003 RAS results http://web.mit.edu/seagrant/pubs/
Working to train citizens to monitor their locals for non-native species.
33
Monitoring: Massachusetts Rapid
Assessment
Surveys
ROW LEY
LA WR ENCE
IPS WIC H
NORT H
ROCK PO RT
BOX FOR D
AN DOVE R
ESSEX
TOPS FI ELD
GL OUC ESTER
HA MI LTON
AND OV ER
TEW KS BUR Y
MID DLE TON
#
#
MAN CHE STE R
NORT H REA D ING
State Fish Pier
N
Cape Ann Marina
WENH AM
W
DA NVE RS
E
BEVER LY
BI LLE RICA
WILMI N GTON
RE AD I NG
LY N NFIE LD
#
#
PE AB OD Y
SA LEM
WAK EFI E LD
MARB LEHE AD
5000
BU RLINGTO N
BE DF ORD
WOBU RN
0
5000
10000 Meters
SA UG US
S TO N E H A M
LY NN
SWA MP SC OTT
MELR OS E
W I NC H EST E R
LE X INGTON
NA HANT
MALDE N
MEDF ORD
RE VE RE
ARL I N G T O N
EVE RE T T
SOM
E
BEL M O NT
RVI
Constitution Marina
#
Rowes Wharf ##
# MWRA - Deer Island
Black Falcon
Terminal
LL
WALTHA M
CAM
BRI
CH EL SE A
E
WIN THROP
DGE
W AT E R T OW N
WES TON
E
NE WTON
BOS TON
B RO
OKL
IN
• Collaborative effort:
MIT Sea Grant, CZM, Mass
Bays, others
S
Tucks Point
Hawthorne Marina
WELLE SLE Y
HULL
NE ED HA M
Bay Point Marina
#
QUI N CY
DE DH AM
MILT ON
COH A SS ET
HI NGHAM
DOV E R
WES TWOOD
• Documented presence
of species in ports and
harbors of Massachusetts
(summer 2000)
BRAI N TR EE
SC IT UA TE
WEY MOUTH
NORWO OD
RA N DOLPH
CA NTON
NORWE LL
ROC K LAND
HOLB ROOK
WALP OLE
MARS H FIE LD
HA N OVE R
AV ON
STOU GHTO N
AB IN GTON
SHARON
WHI TM AN
PROV INCET OWN
BROC KT ON
PE MB RO KE
HA NSON
FOXB OR OUGH
EASTON
DU X BURY
EAST
#
Duxbury Public Pier
BRI DGEW AT ER
WE ST
MANS FI ELD
TR URO
BRIDGEWATER
NOR T H
KI NG STON
HAL IFAX
#
BRIDGEW ATER
NORT ON
PLY MP TON
Plymouth Town Dock
WELLFLE ET
ATTL EBORO
TAU NT ON
RAYN HAM
MID DL EBOROU GH
PLYMOU TH
REH OB OT H
CAR VER
DIGHT ON
EA STHA M
BERKL EY
LAKEVI L LE
EK ONK
ROCH EST ER
E
Sandwich Marina
#
#
S ET
M
#
#
WA REH AM
Bourne Marina
FR EETOW N
SWANSEA
SO
• Identified 24 introduced
and 49 cryptogenic
species along the
Massachusetts coast
(three previously
undocumented)
R
FAL L R IVE R
ORLE A NS
BREW STER
Barnstable Marina
DE NN IS
MAR I ON
#
SAND WIC H
Fall River Battleship Cove
ACU SH NET
BOU RN E
NE W
CHA TH AM
BARN STABLE
YA RM OUTH
HAR W IC H
MAT TA POI SE TT
BE DF OR D
New Bedford
Development Commission
FAI RHA V EN
#
WE STP ORT
DAR TM OU T H
Tripp Marina
#
MAS HPE E
FAL MOUTH
Eel Pond ##
GO
SNO
Woods Hole Coast Guard Station
LD
TIS BUR Y
OAK B LUFFS
Rapid Assessment Survey Sampling Locations
(Pederson, 2002)
The rapid bioinvasive assessment was spearheaded by MIT Sea Grant, and
supported by MCZM, MassBays, and MassAudubon.
Discovered that about 15 % of the species were nonindigenous or of unknown
origin.
This interagency effort started in northeastern Massachusetts and continued through
Rhode Island to document the presence of exotic species on floating docks in ports
and harbors of these two states
This event received a lot of attention, and gave momentum to the generation of a
statewide Aquatic Invasive Species management Plan along with $15,000 grant
from EPA
34
Another goal in the establishment of a monitoring network is to have a central
database.
We need to know what is here.
http://www.marineid.org/marine/html/index.html
Therefore, we have created the MarineID, which will allow monitoring groups to
record their species observations.
This will help us learn about new species before they are wide spread and learn
about the distribution of introduced species.
35
We have distribution maps and are developing species profiles on the MarineID
36
The marineID data entry template (MS Access) and a help tutorial can be
downloaded by clicking on the links below. Data can be submitted to marineID by
emailing completed forms to [email protected]. All data will go through
a series of quality assurance checks prior to posting to the web site.
37
Responding to Marine Invaders
Early Detection/Rapid
Response
http://www.northeastans.
org/resources.htm
From NEANS
Northeast Aquatic
Nuisance Panel
has been working on
marine habitat
restoration.
Methods to restore invaded areas and research on eradication and control.
Artificial reefs may be a place to assess restoration methods.
38
What You Can Do
Get Involved
Lakes and Ponds Program Weed watchers
Salem Sound Coast Watch Introduced Species
Monitoring Program
Learn the Species of the New England Coast
39
What You Can Do
Take Your Own Precautionary Measures
Boaters: Thoroughly clean boats and boat trailers
prior to leaving a waterway
Never release live organisms into a waterway
–
–
–
unused bait or bait packing materials
unwanted aquarium pets or contents
unconsumed shellfish or shellfish waste
Landscape your home with native plants
Spread the word!
40
What You Can Do
Support Programs that are Designed to Combat
Invasive Species
41
Web Resources
•
•
•
•
www.state.ma.us/czm/
www.NortheastANS.org
www.MarineID.org
www.invasivespecies.gov
[email protected]
42
Questions?
The “Killer Algae” Caulerpa taxifolia
43