Wednesday, November 2 |
| 8:00-8:30 AM | Registration |
| 8:30-8:40 AM | Welcome from Co-chairs/Housekeeping (Peg Brady, NOAA Fisheries Strategic Planning Lead/Craig Martin, FWS Chief, Branch of Aquatic Invasive Species) |
| 8:40-8:50 AM | (#1) Self Introductions (name and agency) |
| 8:50-9:00 AM | (#2) Adoption of Agenda/Approval of Minutes/Review of Previous Action Items
Action Items from the Little Rock, Arkansas, meeting- Establish an ad-hoc committee to update the ANSTF Strategic Plan (to be discussed in item #4)
- Establish an ad-hoc committee to develop, implement, and evaluate a pilot annual awards program
(to be discussed in item #5) - Provide comments on water garden BMPs (to be discussed in item #20)
- Establish a lionfish ad-hoc committee (to be discussed in item #6)
- Post ICS training information on the ANSTF website (Susan Mangin, FWS)
|
| 9:00-10:00 AM | (#3) Recommendation: Climate Change and Invasive Species Addressing Multiple Drivers
(Adrianna Muir, Department of State/Stas Burgiel, NISC and Britta Bierwagen, EPA)
Individually, and present two major threats to biodiversity, food production, human health
and local livelihoods. Combined, the complexity of the interaction of these two global drivers increases dramatically, and
evidence is rapidly growing on how climate change is compounding the already devastating effects of invasive species.
This presentation will outline a framework for looking at the interactions between climate change and invasive species
with a focus on aquatic nuisance species. It will address three main points:- Climate change’s direct and second order impacts can facilitate the introduction, establishment and/or spread of
invasive species. - Invasive species can increase the vulnerability of ecosystems to other climate-related stressors and also reduce
their potential to sequester greenhouse gasses. - Adaptation approaches should consider ecosystem-based approaches, particularly management of invasive species
impacts to maintain ecosystem health and integrity.
The consequences of climate change will affect aquatic ecosystems, including aquatic invasive species (AIS) that are already
affecting these ecosystems. The consequences point to needed additional research and management actions that can apply
what is already known about climate change effects. For the second presentation, these consequences in the context of
hypotheses that need to be tested, current results from EPA-sponsored research, and a review of AIS management plans that
points to some next steps will be discussed.
(link to EPA product: http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recorddisplay.cfm)
Recommendation: Recommend the convening of a joint ANSTF/NISC ad hoc working group to examine the relationships
between climate change and invasive/aquatic nuisance species with particular attention to identifying management
strategies, available tools and resources, and knowledge gaps. The results of this work, including potential next steps,
would be presented to ANSTF, NISC and other key partners.
|
| 10:00-10:30 AM | (#4) lnformational: ANSTF Strategic Plan Update
(Peg Brady and Susan Pasko, NOAA)
The Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force (ANSTF) Strategic Plan (Plan) expires after 2012 The Plan serves as a blueprint and
highlights five goals with corresponding objectives for fulfilling the ANSTF mission. Member agencies and ANS regional panels
were asked to comment on the existing Plan and report on their progress for actions items within the Plan. At the May 2011
ANSTF meeting (Little Rock, Arkansas), an ad-hoc committee was established to update the Plan. This committee utilized
the comments and reports received to track the progress and identify gaps in the current Plan. From this information,
the committee was able to draft a revision for the next iteration of the Plan. This presentation will provide an overview
of the draft and allow for additional comments or information that should be considered as the committee moves
forward with the ANSTF Strategic Plan for 2013 – 2017. |
| 10:30-10:50 AM | BREAK |
| 10:50-11:05 AM | (#5) Decisional: ANSTF/NISC Award Program (TBA/FWS)
The ANSTF formed an ad-hoc committee to develop, implement, and evaluate a pilot annual awards program. Based on the
pilot evaluation, the ANSTF will then determine if it should be continued, modified, or discontinued. Working with NISC, the
committee developed a set of pre-defined award categories and associated criteria that consider past ANSTF awards and
other invasive species award programs. These will be discussed at this meeting.
Decision Point: Does the ANSTF approve the pilot award program? |
| 11:05-11:35 AM | (#6) Decisional: Lionfish Ad-hoc Committee Update
(James Ballard/GSMFC and GSARP)
This presentation will cover the activities of the Invasive Lionfish Ad-hoc Committee since it’s formation at the spring 2011
ANSTF meeting. It will also include a summary of the Ad-hoc Committee’s report “Findings on the Current State of Knowledge
About Invasive Lionfish” that will be provided to the ANSTF members prior to the meeting for their review. This report covers
the major components of this invasive species including its biology/life history, its distribution in this invaded range, and
its impacts. It also covers an outline of what has been done in terms of management/control, research, and
collaboration/partnership on invasive lionfish. Finally, this presentation will cover the Ad-hoc Committee’s feelings on how
the development of a National Control Plan for Invasive Lionfish will play into the future management/control of this species,
and their recommendation to the ANSTF on how to proceed.
Recommendation: The Invasive Lionfish Control Ad-hoc Committee recommends to the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task
Force to move forward with the development of a national control plan for invasive lionfish in U.S. waters. |
| 11:35-12:00 PM | (#7) Decisional: ANSTF Recreational Guidelines Update
(Laura Norcutt, FWS)
In July 2011, the ANSTF established an ad-hoc committee of about 50 Federal and State agency, NGO’s and industry
representatives to update the ANSTF Guidelines for Preventing the Spread of AIS through Recreational Activities. Six
subcommittees were established to draft revised sections of the Guidelines. The subcommittees include Motorized
Boaters (includes jet skiers, water skiers, motorized sail boaters, parasailers, etc.), Non-motorized Boaters (includes
kayakers, canoeists, tubers, rafters, paddle boarders, wake boarders, surfers, wind surfers etc.), Seaplane Operators,
Scuba Divers and Scuba Dive Charters, Anglers (includes fly fishers, shore fishers, bait fishers, professional anglers,
fishing charters etc.), and Waterfowl Hunters (includes pet and clothing care). Aquarists/Water Gardeners were excluded
but the ad- hoc committee recommends that the ANSTF approval establishment of a Water Gardens subcommittee.
Teachers/Students/Education/Researchers were also excluded since they were not directly related to recreation. The
ad-hoc committee would like the ANSTF to consider establishing a new ANSTF subcommittee to address the spread of
aquatic invasive species by teachers and students/educators/researchers.
Recommendation: Recommend that the ANSTF support subcommittees to address the spread of AIS through water
gardens and by teachers/students/educators/researchers? |
| 12:00-1:30 PM | LUNCH |
| 1:30-1:45 PM | (#8) Informational: Lake Texoma – Doing the Right Thing
(Dave Britton, FWS)
The interbasin/interstate pipeline situation in Texas will be discussed. This is difficult situation, and the efforts of the
Corps of Engineers (Tulsa District) will be acknowledged. This issue relates to the Injurious Wildlife Provisions of the Lacey Act. |
| 1:45-2:00 PM | (#9) Informational: Marine Recreational Boat Pathway
(Karen McDowell, San Francisco Estuary Partnership)
The 34th America’s Cup (AC34) will be held in San Francisco Bay in 2012 (preliminary races) and 2013 (the main event). This
premier sailing event is expected to attract a large number of spectator boats (including super yachts) from inside and outside
the country. The AC34 planning team has created an Invasive Species Task Force to develop guidelines for recreational vessels
and a dissemination plan. This presentation will review the draft versions of these documents, and discuss how the guidelines
can be expanded address the marine recreational boating vector in the US. |
| 2:00-2:10 PM | (#10) Informational: Asian Carp Management Plan Update
(Sam Finney, FWS)
Recently, groups have been gathered by the Asian carp plan working group to discuss and rank the highest priority
management actions in the plan. A standard method for ranking management recommendations, equitable by geographic
area and stakeholder, was developed and is currently being implemented. Results are preliminary and incomplete at this time
but certain themes of agreement are developing from discussions and will be highlighted. |
| 2:10-2:40 PM | (#11) Informational: National Triploid Grass Carp Inspection and Certification Program
(Vince Mudrak, FWS)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the National Triploid Grass Carp Inspection and Certification Program (NTGCICP)
to help states that wish to use triploid grass carp as a biological agent to control invasive aquatic plants. The USFWS has
implemented a quality assurance process whereby grass carp producers that wish to participate in the NTGCICP must
sign a Memorandum of Agreement. The agreement has strict compliance mandates and tenets. Producer noncompliance
would result in fees and penalties, and successive noncompliance can lead to termination from the Program. The presentation
will provide an overview of the Program, and discuss emerging issues and challenges. |
| 2:40-3:00 PM | (#12) Status of the Non-indigenous Aquatic Species Database
(Sharon Gross, USGS)
USGS houses the Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database, which is a repository for AIS information. This database is available
to the general public and is a valuable source of information. Specific uses and funding for this database will be discussed. |
| 3:00-3:30 PM | BREAK |
| 3:30-3:50 PM | (#13) Informational: Asian Clam Eradication Efforts in Lake George
(Meg Modley, Lake Champlain Basin Program and NEANS
Actions to eradicate Asian clams from Lake George, NY, will be described. In August 2010 Asian clams were discovered in Lake
George, NY, and a group of state and local partners formed the Lake George Asian Clam Rapid Response Task Force to respond
to the infestation.
Since the initial discovery of Asian clams, there have been four additional isolated populations discovered in the Lake. Work
accomplished as of Fall 2011 includes a lakewide survey, public outreach and education, permitting, fundraising and cost
review, and preliminary evaluation of treatment efficacy from benthic barrier matting the initial 5+ acre treatment site. |
| 3:50-4:05 PM | (#14) Informational: Mitten Crab Efforts
(Ron Smith, FWS)
The National Chinese mitten crab (CMC) workshop was held in Arlington, VA on 2 November 2010. The objectives of the
workshop were to establish a North American CMC workgroup; develop a network for collaboration between east and
west coast CMC activities; and to identify future needs and direction for the CMC National Management Plan (NMP). A
CMC workgroup has been established and has held a series of conference calls since the workshop. The CMC workgroup
is reviewing the action items from the workshop and following-up in areas where there are identified needs and concerns.
The CMC workgroup has identified a subgroup to work on updating the NMP. The NMP subgroup has identified five focus
areas for review and modification including the creation of an online warehouse for links and documents that are relevant
to CMC; expand the current NMP to include the east coast; update the existing ecology section of the NMP; include a section
containing suggestions for methods for CMC early detection based on life stages; and update the NMP implementation table. |
| 4:05-4:20 PM | (#15) Informational: Didemnum vexillum Project in Alaska
(Kim Holzer, FWS) |
| 4:20-4:45 PM | (#16) Decisional: State Plan Overview/Approval (Don MacLean, FWS)
Decision Point: Does the ANSTF approve the Texas state plan? |
| 4:45-4:55 PM | (#17) Decisional: ANSTF Charter Renewal and National Invasive Species Awareness Week
(Susan Mangin, FWS)
The ANSTF charter is renewed every 2 years. The latest charter was signed in August 2011. The new charter includes numerous
changes, which will be highlighted. National Invasive Species Awareness Week is scheduled from February 26 through
March 3, 2012. An overview of ANSTF- related activities will be given.
Decision Point: Should the ANSTF expand participation in NISAW beyond Asian carp and QZAP efforts? If so, how? |
| 4:55-5:00 PM | Public Comment |
| 5:00 PM | Adjourn |
Thursday, November 3 |
| 8:00-8:10 AM | Registration |
| 8:10-8:40 AM | (#18) Informational: Ballast Water and Vessel General Permits Update
(CDR Allain, USCG/Ryan Albert, EPA)
In August 2009, the Coast Guard published a proposed rule, "Standards for Living Organisms in Ships' Ballast Water Discharged
in U.S. Waters; Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statements; Proposed Rule and Notices. This rule proposed the
establishment of a discharge standard for the allowable concentration of living organisms in ships' ballast water discharged
into U.S. waters. The Coast Guard will provide an overview of the proposed rule and an update on the progress of the rule.
EPA is in the process of developing the next draft Vessel General Permit (VGP), which regulates ballast water discharges
from ships. In order to better inform EPA's understanding of ballast water discharges, the Agency jointly commissioned two
scientific studies with the U.S. Coast Guard. Those studies were led by EPA's Science Advisory Board and the National Academy
of Sciences. EPA will provide an overview of the two studies and a status update on the VGP. |
| 8:40-9:10 AM | (#19) Informational: Commercial Harvesting of Invasives
(Ron Brooks, KY Fish and Wildlife Resources)
Kentucky, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee are severely infested with Asian carp. These carp threaten
endemic fish species and the recreational boating industry and have dramatically increased their distribution and abundance
in the last decade. For instance, they are outcompeting endemic species for forage, with gizzard shad and buffalo fish exhibiting
poor body condition and reduction in recruitment numbers. Asian carp are a popular food source in China where they have
been overharvested. The Chinese and others are interested in acquiring these fish from the U.S. In 2007, the ANSTF approved
the "Management and Control Plan for Bighead, Black, Grass, and Silver Carps in the United States." The team working to
implement this plan recommends commercial harvest to reduce abundance and impacts of established populations. States are
considering some limited funding and facilitating of private processing facilities to meet market demands. The presenter will
further explain the current status of Asian carp in the Mississippi and Ohio River basins and issues related to processing these
fish for markets. |
| 9:10-9:20 AM | (#20) Informational: Water Garden BMPs
(Marshall Jones, Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council)
This informational update is a follow up to a decision item from the spring ANSTF meeting for the ANSTF members to review
draft water garden best management practices. |
| 9:20-9:40 AM | (#21) Decisional: Research Gaps Identified in National Academy of Sciences’ Report
(John Darling, EPA)
EPA's Office of Water has come out in support of research, both within EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD)
and collaboratively with other federal Agencies, to 1) improve understanding of the relationship between ballast
water-associated propagule pressure and invasion risk, and 2) improve ballast water monitoring and ballast water
treatment technologies. The aim of the proposal would be to develop an inter-Agency research strategy to address the
first of these needs. ORD has already recognized this need and has incorporated language into it's new Safe and Sustainable
Water Resources Research Program to provide a placeholder for future efforts. The proposed research strategy would build
off of research gaps identified in the NAS report, and would presumably assess specific research needs, appropriate research
capabilities across agencies (including EPA, NOAA, USCG, and others), possibilities for collaborative efforts, and options for
funding these research efforts.
Decision Point: The ANSTF Research Committee should develop an inter-Agency strategy to address research
gaps identified in the NAS report on propagule pressure and invasion risk associated with ballast water. |
| 9:40-10:10 AM | (#22) Informational: Canadian Aquatic Invasive Species Network
(Peg Brady, NOAA/ Dr. Hugh MacIssac, University of Windsor and CAISN Scientific Director)
Canadian Aquatic Invasive Species Network (CAISN 2006-2011) was established with the goal of identifying and quantifying
the vectors and pathways by which AIS enter Canada, determining factors that affect their colonization success, and
developing risk assessment models for potential and existing AIS. The NSERC Canadian Aquatic Invasive Species Network II
(CAISN II 2011 – 2016) is addressing the remaining information gaps by focusing on four new core themes: Early Detection,
Rapid Response, AIS as Part of Multiple Stressors, and Reducing Uncertainty in Prediction and Management. CAISN brings
together 30 researchers from 12 partner universities and six federal laboratories from across Canada. Their research
incorporates broad taxonomic, ecosystem, geographic, mathematic and philosophical diversity. CAISN combines the various
skills and interests of academia, government, industry, and non-government organizations with the aim to assist affected
industries, develop government policy and advance invasion science and technology. In addition, CAISN is training graduate
and postdoctoral students with specialization in invasive species. |
| 10:10-10:20 AM | (#16 continued) Decisional: State Plan Overview/Approval
(Tom McMahon, AZ Game and Fish)
Decision Point: Does the ANSTF approve the Arizona state plan? |
| 10:20-10:30 AM | BREAK |
| 10:30-12:00 PM | (#23) Informational: Panel Updates (15 minutes per panel)
10:30 – 10:45 Great Lakes Panel
Recommendations: The ANSTF and its member agency representatives take immediate action to assist and advise
on legislative and rulemaking changes necessary in the establishment of a more effective, proactive approach for
screening and listing of plant and animal species in trade. As part of this recommendation, it is requested that
during future meetings, the ANSTF include a report on the progress being made to strengthen the federal screening
and listing processes for organisms in trade.
10:45 – 11:00 Mississippi River Basin Panel
Recommendations: A draft of the snakehead management plan should be expeditiously completed and submitted
to the ANS Task Force for review and/or approval.
11:00 – 11:15 Mid-Atlantic Panel Recommendations:- Gather information on efforts happening on regional/national/international levels regarding
creating behavior change for AIS, as this would be very helpful for the Mid Atlantic Panel as
it triesto figure out how to best conduct outreach efforts. MAP is particularly interested in
how to conduct “small scale social marketing” campaigns, and how to define the audience. - Investigate providing fiscal management services to all regional panels.
- Encourage the Army Corps of Engineers to work with state fisheries management agencies
on Asian carp prevention during decisions regarding waterway management, and do so across
the Mississippi River watershed (not just the Great Lakes). - Create and support an ad-hoc committee to develop concrete recommendations leading to
vector intercept and management strategies that will work on state and watershed scales.
11:15 – 11:30 Western Region Panel Recommendations:
- The WRP recommends that the ANSTF assist with identifying a source of funds that are critically
needed to improve existing inspection and decontamination programs, establish new containment
programs on positive waters where inspections don't currently exist, and to continue with the
implementation of the Quagga Zebra Mussel Action Plan for Western U.S. Waters begun in 2010. - The WRP recommends that the ANSTF work within its membership to address the cross state
movements of infested boats and the responsibilities of federal agencies, with the goal of decreasing
the number of infested boats moving around the Western USA.
11:30 – 11:45 Northeast Panel
Recommendations: The Northeast Aquatic Nuisance Species Panel has no new recommendations but is
recommending that the Task Force continue to allocate the full funding for the State Management Plans
authorization and find other sources of support for its six regional panels.
11:45 – 12:00 Gulf and South Atlantic Panel
Recommendations: See item #6.
|
| 12:00-1:00 PM | LUNCH |
| 1:00-2:30 PM | (#24) Informational: ANSTF Member Updates (5 minutes per member) |
| 2:30-2:40 PM | Public Comment |
| 2:40-3:00 PM | Meeting Summary |
| 3:00 PM | Adjourn |
