RECENT ANS ANNOUNCEMENTS

Water Sports Industry Association

The Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA) is delighted to announce the launch of its Boat Decontamination Database. The database provides verified diagrams and instructions to decontaminate boats to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species (AIS). This collaborative effort, based on input from AIS experts from around the country, demonstrates the towed boat industry’s dedication to mitigating the threat to anyone who enjoys the waterways. Visit the database at https://decon.wsia.net/.  FULL ANNOUCEMENT

UPCOMING MEETINGS

UPCOMING WEBINARS

North American Invasive Species Association Webinars

June 21, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CDT - Advancing International Invasive Species Prevention Efforts and Developing a Model Legal Framework for Noxious Weed Programs 

Certified Weed Free Products (WFP) Program is the only program in North America that provides land managers with assurance that noxious weeds will not be spread through the movement of forage, hay, mulch, or gravel. Through this grant, NAISMA will be developing numerous tools focused on the legal authority for noxious weed management, establishing strong relationships with governments and industries, and providing education and outreach for the public. In this webinar, NAISMA team will provide a brief overview of their prevention programs, along with the grant objectives and deliverables. In addition, NAISMA has partnered with the National Sea Grant Law Center (NSGLC) to create a model legal framework for noxious weed programs focused on pathway prevention through certified weed free forage, gravel, and mulch. Experts from NSGLC will participate in the webinar to provide an overview of their approach and opportunities for collaboration.

Northwest Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change Network

June 22, 9am PT - Spreading Information Not Invasives: Amplifying Climate Change and First Foods Considerations in an Invasive Species Knowledge Sharing Hub

Invasive species pressures are a consistent challenge for our region’s natural resource managers and landowners. Managers tackle the environmental, economic, and cultural challenges of invasive species in different ways and at different scales, to address specific mission priorities. Unfortunately, this can result in fragmented information streams and siloed knowledge bases.  The Oregon Invasive Species Council developed the Invasive Species Digital Information Hub to create access to resources to support both big picture planning decisions and day-to-day management activities. With a grant from the Western Integrated Pest Management Program, this project focused on the development of specific information regarding 1) impacts of changing climate on invasive species issues; 2) impacts of invasive species on culturally important First Foods; and 3) lessons learned regarding management practices shared by invasive species managers.  In this webinar, speakers will describe the interactions between climate change climate change
Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since the mid-20th century humans have had an unprecedented impact on Earth's climate system and caused change on a global scale.

Learn more about climate change , first foods, and invasive species. They will also describe how to access and use the OISC Invasive Species Digital Information Hub.

AIS in Commerce July Summit

Tue, Jul 25, 2023 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT: Registration (gotowebinar.com)

This 3-hour summit will review the action plan developed by seven international work groups to minimize risks posed by aquatic plants and pets in commerce. Expert presenters and panelists will share information on e-commerce, monitoring and inspection, labeling and recordkeeping, regulations and enforcement, voluntary industry standards, and outreach associated with plants and animals in trade.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

U.S Fish and Wildlife Service:  Permanent Biologist (GS-0401-12) with the USFWS-Columbia FWCO in Columbia, MO

The Columbia Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (FWCO) has a diverse team prepared to assist with sportfish, native fish, imperiled species and invasive species assessment and management throughout the rivers of the Mississippi River Basin and is recruiting a permanent GS-0401-12 Biologist to lead a key portion of the FWCO’s biological program with a substantial focus on Invasive Carp partnership activities in the Missouri River Basin.  If you have strong leadership skills, clear communication style often associated with public speaking, are an attentive listener who is skilled in facilitation, negotiation, and critical thinking as you work as part of team on complex issues, this position may be a perfect fit.  Open & closing dates: 06/12/2023 to 06/26/2023. For more information or to apply, visit:  https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/730016300, R3-23-11990143-LP-SDHA (Direct Hiring Authority). For specific questions, please send an email to fwshiring@fws.gov and reference the vacancy announcement number (preferably before the announcement period closes).

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

None this week.

RECOMMENDED READING

Toward a national eDNA strategy for the United States

Kelly, R. P., Lodge, D. M., Lee, K. N., Theroux, S., Sepulveda, A. J., Scholin, C. A., ... & Weisberg, S. B. (2023). Toward a national eDNA strategy for the United States. Environmental DNA.

Special Issue "Biology and Control of Invasive Fishes"

Sorensen, P. W. (2021). Introduction to the biology and control of invasive fishes and a special issue on this topic. Fishes, 6(4), 69.

Evidence of a compensatory response in invasive Rusty Crayfsh (Faxonius rusticus) following intensive harvest removal from northern Lake Michigan fsh spawning reefs

Kvistad, J. T., Galarowicz, T. L., Clapp, D. F., Chadderton, W. L., Tucker, A. J., Annis, G., & Herbert, M. (2023). Evidence of a compensatory response in invasive Rusty Crayfish (Faxonius rusticus) following intensive harvest removal from northern Lake Michigan fish spawning reefs. Biological Invasions, 1-17.

Crayfish assemblages correlate with dam-induced effects on abiotic factors and predatory fish assemblages in Alabama streams

Barnett, Z. C., Ochs, C. A., Easson, G. L., & Adams, S. B. (2023). Crayfish assemblages correlate with dam‐induced effects on abiotic factors and predatory fish assemblages in Alabama streams. River Research and Applications.  Evidence for the importance of invasive Dreissena veligers as a novel prey item for larval fish in Lake Huron

ANS IN THE NEWS

Alaska Invasive Species Awareness Week

June 11, 2023. I, Mike Dunleavy, Governor of the State of Alaska, do hereby proclaim June 11 – 17, 2023 as Alaska Invasive Species Awareness Week in Alaska, and encourage all Alaskans and visitors to learn about, prevent, report, and contribute to control of invasive species in the state.

Discover Why Invasive Plants Are Costing California a Staggering $82M Per Year

June 11, 2023. Cal-IPC further explains that all California residents suffer the impact of invasive plants in multiple ways. For hunters and California fishing enthusiasts, invasive plants can change and destroy the habitats of wildlife they hunt for food.

Burmese Python in Florida: Hard wins in the battle against invasive snake

June 11, 2023. The impact of the Burmese python on our beloved Everglades is devastating. Closer to home in the Western Everglades, we are seeing increased evidence of the impact of pythons on our native species.

Australian governments join forces to tackle invasive species threat

June 10, 2023. Australian federal, state and territory governments have joined forces to tackle threats of climate change and invasive species in the country's alps.

Which invasive species are threatening New York and what can you do?

June 9, 2023. This weekend marks the end of the NYS DEC’s Invasive Species Awareness Week, but the state and environmental experts have tips on how you can help the constant fight against invasive wildlife.

Manitoba Government Opens New Aquatic Invasive Species Inspection Stations

June 9, 2023.  Boaters in western Manitoba will see new aquatic invasive species (AIS) inspection stations near Minnedosa and Ste. Rose du Lac starting this weekend, Natural Resources and Northern Development Minister Greg Nesbitt announced today.

Bill allowing towns to better combat aquatic invasives passes

June 9, 2023. New York legislation sponsored by Sen. Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) to address and better combat aquatic invasive species statewide passed the Senate June 9.

Invasive species found in Pottapaug Pond at Quabbin Reservoir

June 9, 2023. Deputy Communications Director for the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Ilyse Wolberg told 22News staff at Quabbin Reservoir discovered an aquatic invasive species called Swollen Bladderwort in Pottapaug Pond earlier this week.

MDC confirms second northern snakehead captured in Missouri

June 8, 2023. Fisheries management biologists with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) confirm a second northern snakehead has been recorded in the state. The fish was captured by an angler May 19 while seining for bait at Duck Creek Conservation Area in Wayne County.

Multi-year Project to Eradicate Invasive Species in Griffy Lake is Successful; More Streets are Resurfaced; and ADA Ramps are Updated

June 8, 2023. Eurasian watermilfoil was identified as a primary species of concern in Griffy Lake as early as 2008. Densely matted beds of this invasive species can displace native plants and interfere with fishing and other recreational activities.

MDC reports northern snakehead, an invasive species, caught in Wayne County

June 8, 2023. The Missouri Department of Conservation says a second northern snakehead has been recorded in the state.  The fish was captured on May 19 at the Duck Creek Conservation Area in Wayne County.

Michigan marks progress against invasive species, considers ways to meet new threats

June 8, 2023. The recently released Michigan Invasive Species Program 2022 Annual Report highlights the achievements of a complex network of state, regional and institutional and outlines what is needed to meet future challenges.

What are nutria? The invasive species affecting California’s waterways

June 7, 2023. In California, DFW officials said Nutria have recently been found in the Delta and have been discovered in Merced, Stanislaus, Fresno, San Joaquin, Fresno, Mariposa, Sacramento, Madera and Tuolumne counties.

DNA sucked into air filters can reveal what plants and animals are nearby

June 5, 2023. DNA is all around us — even in the air we breathe. Now scientists have found that air quality monitoring stations — which pull in air to test for pollution — also pick up lots of DNA that can reveal what plants and animals have been in the area.

Zebra mussel caught hitching ride

June 1, 2023. During a recent fisheries assessment study on Lake Témiscouata, in southern Quebec, researchers Anthony Ricciardi of McGill University and Jaclyn M. Hill of Fisheries and Oceans Canada discovered a small zebra mussel attached to the side of a living lake chub (a common member of the minnow family). This finding is the first recorded observation of this behavior by any adult freshwater bivalve in the wild.

Canada launches $36.6 million aquatic invasive species fund

May 30, 2023. Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, has launched the new Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund (AISPF), which aims to increase awareness of, and to take action against, the threats posed by aquatic invasive species amongst Canadians - including boaters, anglers, aquarium owners and aquaculture operators.

Province adds new measures to control aquatic invasive species

May 28, 2023. The creation of new aquatic invasive species (AIS) control zones is among a suite of changes being implemented by the Manitoba government aimed at enhancing efforts to fight the spread of AIS in the province, Natural Resources and Northern Development Minister Greg Nesbitt announced today.