Outcome-Based Priority Actions For Specific AIS Pathways

Workshop participants detailed specific research, management, and education/public engagement actions for major AIS pathways in the mid-Atlantic. States in the region have undertaken various actions already, for example, Maryland DNR conducted a social research study on bait usage in order to determine the potential ecological problems that different baits could pose (Kilian et al., 2010). A key challenge for vector management of aquatic species will be coordinating work already done in the mid-Atlantic, leveraging region-wide studies, and undertaking outreach and education initiatives that are linked directly to biological and social science research studies of vector management.

Maritime Shipping Vector

Ship Fouling

In general, fouling from commercial maritime ships, commercial fishing vessels, and recreational boats present related problems, though at widely diverse scales and often with uniquely different research, management, and education/outreach needs.

Research Priorities and Information Needs

• Identify those who control the funding for commercial shipping companies that enter mid-Atlantic waters and evaluate a California-style buy-in by shipping companies regarding control of non-indigenous species released from ships.
• Sample biofouling on a range of vessels entering the mid-Atlantic region to determine patterns of propagule delivery to the region.
• Determine the frequencies of dry dock, cleaning, coating for commercial vessels — and their ports of origin — in order to assess operational and maintenance practices that may influence the risks of introduction among ships. (One example is California's hull husbandry reporting form.)
• Determine movement of recreational vessels in the mid-Atlantic in order to develop a matrix of recommendations to minimize the spread and impacts of non-native, fouling-transferred organisms.
• Expand and support efforts to conduct cost-benefit studies for the timing of cleaning in relation to vessel performance and fuel efficiency.
• Inventory regulations for recreational and commercial vessel cleaning and identify regulatory gaps.

Management and Regulation

• Develop a "vision" of shared goals among AIS regional task forces, which can be used to work with Sea Grant programs, state and federal agencies, NGOs, and other important stakeholders, including shipping companies and recreational boaters, for successful coordination between commercial ships and recreational vessels.
• Investigate the efficacy of fees for a more robust system of boat inspections — compare with other states on the East Coast such as Connecticut and Massachusetts, which have boating inspection requirements.

Education/Outreach

• Foster an ethic of recreational boat cleaning based on boater activity within and across state borders.
• Determine the effectiveness of current outreach efforts on invasive species at public boat ramps.

Live Trade Vector

Bait

Research Priorities and Information Needs

• Inventory and conduct gap and inconsistency analyses of state regulations in the mid-Atlantic.
• Conduct comprehensive surveys on the bait trade, e.g., wholesalers, sellers, purchasers.
• Assess socioeconomic effects of the bait industry, e.g., sales volume and distribution.
• Determine species that have caused ecological problems and those with potential to do so.
• Evaluate threats of hitchhiker organisms — associated species in dunnage, pathogens, parasites, potential diseases — on non-native baits.
• Assess low-cost abiotic packaging materials and their availability.
• Conduct social research on bait usage and disposal.

Management and Regulation

• Develop a state-based "white list" for bait; use species already established.
• Develop regulations for bait packaging, employing a stakeholder approach.
• Develop disease testing and standards to ensure bait species are not carrying diseases.
• Establish unambiguous bait disposal protocols at point of sale.

Education/Outreach

• Identify and differentiate target audiences, e.g., wholesalers, retailers, fishers, associations, press/media, law enforcement, cultural groups, tournament fishers, spokespeople who are "superstars" in the fishing world.
• Prioritize outlets, e.g., weekly fishing columns, recreational bulletins, fishing reports, charter operators, and programs and publications for children.
• Develop "species of concern" lists for baits in the mid-Atlantic for voluntary action by fishers.
• Encourage use of artificial, biodegradable baits when feasible.
• Determine the effectiveness of outreach and management efforts on invasive species associated with bait shipments.

Aquaculture, Aquatic Horticulture, Aquaria

Research Priorities and Information Needs

• Inventory and conduct gap and inconsistency analyses of state regulations in the mid-Atlantic.
• Determine non-native species imported to region, sources, volume.
• Assemble biological data, e.g., temperature tolerances, diseases.
• Determine potential diseases, parasites, and pathogens in order to develop screeningmethods.
• Inventory pond aquaria in the region and related information, e.g., how many in floodprone area, disposal knowledge by owners.
• Determine economic value to the states of income from these industries.

Management and Regulation

• Develop appropriate best management practices.
• Establish disposal protocols at point of sale.

Education/Outreach

• Identify and differentiate target audiences, e.g., wholesalers, retailers, fishers,associations, press/media, law enforcement, cultural groups.
• Develop "species of concern" lists for voluntary action by industry and consumers.
• Prioritize outlets for preventing intentional and unintentional releases.