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 in Prince William Sound and Port Valdez.
Scientists will focus on the investigation, which included an analysis of species found in oil tanker ballast water, invasive species found in Prince William Sound and the effectiveness of oil tanker ballast water exchange in reducing the risk of introducing invasive species into Alaskan coastal waters.
Scientists will also discuss ballast water management programs, and the implications of the programs on the shipping industries, and will provide an overview of ballast water treatment technologies presently being developed. The workshop will be held at the Hawthorn Suites at 1110 West 8th Avenue in Anchorage. The workshop will begin at 9:00 a.m. daily and is open to the public and the media.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving,
protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System
which encompasses more than 520 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fish and wildlife management assistance offices, 64 Fishery Resource Offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
