CRMC receives federal funds for its RI Aquatic Invasive Species Plan

March 14, 2008, WAKEFIELD – The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) has received federal funding from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service toward the implementation of its new Rhode Island Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan, which was adopted by the Council in January 2008.

The RI Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan (RIAIS Plan) is the first comprehensive effort to assess the impacts and threats of aquatic invasive species in Rhode Island. It outlines a series of management strategies intended to prevent the introduction and curb the spread of aquatic invasive species. The plan, developed and implemented on the state level by the CRMC, prioritizes state agency leadership for action, continuation of current research on the risks of various transport vectors, coordination with industry to minimize invasions, development of a regional web page and database on AIS distribution and education initiatives.
The RIAIS Plan was created by the CRMC under the federal Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 as amended by the National Invasive Species Act of 1996 (NISA) through a partnership of URI, RI Natural History Survey, RIDEM, Save the Bay, the US Coast Guard, NOAA, USDA, and USFWS, among others.

The threat of non-native species is not a new concern to Rhode Island. European settlers intentionally introduced numerous non-native plans and animals upon arriving in the New World. Accidental introductions also occurred during this time. Rocks used as ship’s ballast that were discarded in New England coastal waters are a likely source, or vector, for the introduction of European marine species such as the common periwinkle. Recent globalization of the economy and the increase in commerce and new trade routes has also caused a spike in the rate of these introductions in the present-day, some causing significant environmental and economic damage that require costly control or remediation.

Invasive species – defined as a non-indigenous species that threatens the diversity or abundance of native species of the ecological stability of infested waters, or commercial, agricultural, aquacultural or recreational activities dependent on these waters – are considered to be second only to direct habitat destruction as a cause of declining biodiversity in the U.S. Species that have invaded Rhode Island waters include the European green crab, Asian shore crab, lace bryozoan, codium, the red macroalgae Grateloupia turuturu and various species of sea squirts and shellfish pathogens. Other invasive species of concern (due to their proximity to Rhode Island and/or high potential for environmental and economic damage) include the following:

• Veined Rrapa whelk
• Chinese Mmitten crab
• Suminoe oyster
• Pacific oyster
• Caulerpa sp.
• Japanese kelp

The RIAIS Plan also addresses freshwater invaders, such as aquatic macrophytes like variable watermilfoil and curly pondweed, which have become established and are spreading in lakes and ponds. Introduceds Phragmites and purple loosestrife are also spreading, clogging waterways and pushing out native species.

The CRMC’s RIAIS Plan is the first comprehensive effort to assess the impacts and threats of aquatic invasive species in Rhode Island, and to outline a series of management strategies to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species, spread over a five-year period. The plan calls for communication and coordination between agencies and groups in the state; monitoring; education, outreach and training; research and development; planning and assessments; prevention and control; and legislation and regulation.

“The CRMC is proud to be the front-runner in Rhode Island on developing an aquatic invasive species plan that can be implemented on a statewide scale. I’d like to thank our CRMC staffer Kevin Cute for his hard work on this plan,” said CRMC Chairman Michael M. Tikoian. “Aquatic invasive species are destructive and wreak havoc on our native habitats and the species that live within them, and it is vital that the state has a plan for managing existing invasive species, and prevent the introduction of others.”

The full RIAIS Plan is available on the CRMC web site at http://www.crmc.ri.gov/invasives.html.