...to preserve, protect, develop, and restore coastal resources for all Rhode Islanders
CRMC to conduct invasives monitoring
April 15, 2009, WAKEFIELD – The R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) is seeking volunteers to participate in a marine aquatic invasive species monitoring initiative in Narragansett Bay and other coastal water bodies throughout the state. Volunteer monitors will receive training in aquatic invasive species identification and monitoring protocols. Those interested in volunteering will be asked to conduct five monitoring events at floating docks during the summer and fall of 2009. Training sessions are tentatively scheduled for this June.
The RI Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan (RIAIS Plan), which the Council adopted in January 2008, 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.
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:
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.
For more information on the volunteer initiative, contact Kevin Cute at CRMC at 783-3370 or kcute@crmc.ri.gov.