RECENT ANS ANNOUNCEMENTS

Western Regional Panel – Outreach Message and Delivery Analysis Project Complete

The WRP's Education and Outreach Committee facilitated the completion of an analysis of outreach messaging and delivery methods used by western states to better understand its impacts on boater behavior change. Researcher Dr. Gerard Kyle of Texas A&M University conducted the project. 

Project Highlights: 

  • 3,900 registered boaters/anglers surveyed across western states
  • Most survey respondents are familiar with the need to Clean, Drain, and Dry and report often undertaking these actions
  • Absence of cleaning stations, crowding at boat ramps, and belief that others don’t take action were identified as constraints to Clean, Drain, Dry
  • Boat ramp signage, state agency websites, and inspection station personnel were most commonly used and trusted sources of information on AIS
  • Although there were no significant differences in effectiveness of messages tested, providing factual science information on AIS was considered by survey respondents the most effective messaging, followed by messaging of a protective nature (e.g., Protect our Lakes) and highlighting ecological gain from preventing AIS



The full report can be found here. This project was supported by QZAP funding administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

LakeLine magazine: Author Request

Are you interested in writing an article about aquatic invasive species for the spring issue of LakeLine, the magazine of the North American Lake Management Society (NALMS)?  The spring 2023 issue of LakeLine will highlight topics related to Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS).  Articles could include overviews of new or emerging species, species on the move, evolving management strategies, case studies, biology/ecology of species, long-term management projects, the elusiveness of eradication, or even eradication achieved, if there are success stories out there to share.  Freshwater AIS will be the focus.  Articles for the spring issue are due by March 15, 2023, for publication in April 2023.  Articles are typically about 2000 words and should include photos/graphs/tables.  Co-authored articles are welcome, so invite your colleagues to contribute.  If you have a topic you would like to share in an article please reach out to Amy Smagula, LakeLine Editor at LakeLine@nalms.org for more information or to propose a topic.

Watercraft Inspection Training Opportunities

Virtual

Virtual WIT or Level 1 – Inspector Training (2 days - 8 am – Noon PST)

https://www.westernais.org/level-1-inspector-training

WIT or Level 2 – Inspector & Decon Training (3 days – 8 am – Noon PST)

3 classes available in 2023

https://www.westernais.org/level-2 

WIT or Level 3 – Trainer Training

https://www.westernais.org/le

3 classes available in 2023 – (3 days- 9 am – 4pm PST)

In-Person

May 2-4 – N. Dakota: Classes do fill up quickly and registrations will close, so if you are planning to attend or send students, it is recommended to get registrations in soon.

For more information contact: “Quagga D” Davis: (702)236-3814, quaggadee@cox.net

UPCOMING MEETINGS

UPCOMING WEBINARS

December 21, 2022 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CST - Understanding ISPM 15 to Reduce the Risk of Pests in Wood Packaging

ISPM 15 was fully implemented in the United States in 2006 to reduce the risk and spread of quarantine pests associated with wood packaging. This session will review the ISPM 15 program and how it has evolved to successfully achieve its goal, and where there are efforts of continuous improvement so that wood packaging can be used effectively and safely to facilitate safe trade.

Virtual Island Biosecurity Workshop

December 6 & 7, 2022; 1pm to 5pm PST

Connect with colleagues around the world to learn and share your island biosecurity knowledge! We welcome presentations on all aspects of invasive species prevention, detection, and response. Click HERE to register.

Invasive Species Centre

Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022 11:00 A.M. EST - Coming in Hot: Early Detection and Rapid Response Priorities in SE Michigan

For those in the field of invasion biology, or residents who are trying to manage their property, it can sometimes feel like a race against time until the next species appears! We will discuss some of the priority species for our region, such as European frog-bit, mile-a-minute weed, red swamp crayfish, and Japanese stiltgrass. We have two highways that run through our CISMA which see heavy traffic from Chicago to Ann Arbor, and connects southern Michigan to both northern Michigan and Ontario. We wish to share some of our challenges and successes in hopes to better prepare land managers for what is coming their way, and some of our educational efforts aimed at prevention.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

None this week.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

None this week.

RECOMMENDED READING

Epidemics in native species influence the outcome of a species invasion

Blackwood, Paradyse, Kacie L. Jonasen, Brittany N. Heil, and Catherine L. Searle. "Epidemics in native species influence the outcome of a species invasion." (2022).

ANS IN THE NEWS…  

Sen. Barrasso honored with NAISMA Special Recognition Award

November 29, 2022. The North American Invasive Species Management Association announced the recipients of the 2022 NAISMA Annual Awards. The awards seek to recognize individuals and organizations that have gone above and beyond to improve invasive species management in North America. Sen. John Barrasso was honored with the Advocacy Award.

Do we unfairly label ‘invasive species’? Conservationists debate whether their positive qualities suggests a rethink

November 28, 2022. When some researchers, like Gleditsch, have suggested that certain alien species may help ecosystems, they’ve been met with fierce debate from invasion scientists who worry that such studies are a distraction from real damage.

New York Businesses Caught Selling 'Highly Invasive Species'

November 28, 2022. Recently, while on patrol in Brooklyn, New York DEC ECO Currey observed several businesses offering Chinese mitten crabs and Asian date mussels for sale on the stree

Mussel survey reveals alarming degradation of River Thames ecosystem since the 1960s

November 28, 2022. Scientists replicated a 1964 River Thames survey and found that mussel numbers have declined by almost 95%, with one species -- the depressed river mussel -- completely gone.

Invasive crab population keeps booming in Washington

November 28, 2022. Trappers have caught nearly a quarter million European green crabs in Washington waters so far in 2022. This year’s record-smashing tally of the invasive species—248,000 caught as of Oct. 31—is more than twice the total caught last year along Washington shorelines.

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Critical Progress as CITES CoP19 Comes to a Close

November 28, 2022. The Biden-Harris administration announced Friday it has forged critical agreements to ensure legal, traceable and biologically sustainable international trade of wild animals and plants.

Record number of species to be regulated by CITES after CoP19

November 27, 2022. The CoP adopted a total of 46 Proposals of the 52 put forward. This will bring species of, among others, sharks, lizards, turtles, fish, birds, frogs and more than a hundred tree species under CITES regulations, designed to ensure the sustainability of these species in the wild, while allowing their international trade and also contributing to the conservation of ecosystems and global biodiversity.

Watch: The 'Invasive Species Guy' on protecting B.C.'s biodiversity

November 25, 2022. Hunter Garratt explains which invasive species to keep an eye out for and how you can help protect B.C.'s native plants and animals.

Op/Ed: Urge US senators to pass RAWA, save wildlife species near extinction in Indiana

November 25, 2022. We need to address the threats leading to extinction: from habitat loss and fragmentation to invasive species and degraded water quality.

Australia: How 'bin chickens' learnt to wash poisonous cane toads

November 25, 2022. It has developed an "ingenious" method of eating one of the only animals Australians hate more - the cane toad, a toxic and pervasive pest.

More money needed to curb invasive species in SA

November 24, 2022. Despite the fact that the South African government had spent more than R7 billion between 1998 and 2020 to try to contain the spread of invasive alien species, the struggle to control these plants was continuing, according to a report by Stellenbosch University.

High school students invited to submit invasive species art to adorn new trailer

November 23, 2022. The Washington Invasive Species Council (WISC) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) invite high school-age digital artists to participate in an art contest that will help spread the word about not spreading invasive species.

Ancient invention may safely move fish across barriers while blocking invaders, study finds

November 23, 2022. According to lead researcher Daniel Zielinski of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission in Traverse City, the Archimedes screw is a promising solution for lifting fish over low-head barriers — such as concrete blocks — into an optical sorting device.

Fishing in the shadows: Overlooked by policymakers, small-scale fishers face growing challenges

November 22, 2022. Small-scale fishers often have limited access to social protection programmes and financial services — and their catch is not always adequately monitored.

Giant Goldfish Hybrid As Heavy As A 10-Year-Old Is A Reminder Not To Dump Your Pets

November 22, 2022. A record-breaking goldfish has been caught in Champagne, France, where an angler dragged a 30-kilogram (67-pound) specimen from BlueWater Lakes. The carp fishery released the behemoth, known as The Carrot, 20 years ago and it has since grown to be one of the largest in the world.

Mary Idema Pew Library hosts Great Lakes invasive species projects

November 21, 2022. In an effort to raise awareness on the invasion of exotic species into the Great Lakes, a geology class at Grand Valley State University held a Creative Project Day where students used their creativity to make a project based on an invasive species of their choosing.

DNR to expand list of prohibited species in Minnesota

November 20, 2022. The Minnesota DNR wants to expand the list of prohibited invasive species. Thirteen species or species groups have been identified as high risk.

Bajans told to eat more lionfish to reduce invasive species

November 20, 2022. Forde made the comments in Parliament on Tuesday, while leading off debate on a resolution to accept the Barbados National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2020 as the guiding national policy document for the management and conservation of biodiversity in Barbados.

‘Invasive’ mussels bringing ‘risks to human health’ confirmed in Newry Canal

November 20, 2022. Experts say zebra mussels are an Invasive Non-Native Species, meaning they have been transported "only to proliferate in their new environment, contributing to habitat loss, species extinction, ecosystem impacts, risks to human health and economic impacts"