Aquatic Nuisance Species: Coastal Dispersal of Invasive Species in Domestic Ballast Water
Our overall goal is to assess the importance of coast-wise transport of invasive species established in West Coast ports and bays, specifically: (I) To quantify the coast-wise voyages of commercial ships along the West Coast; (ii) To characterize the seasonal availability of key invasive species with potential to be in domestic ballast water in a highly invaded estuary (San Francisco Bay); (iii) To quantify temporal (seasonal, annual) and spatial variation in prevalence and density of particular invasive species that are established in West Coast ports and found in tanker ballast water; (iv) To collect and analyze additional ballast water samples taken at crucial seasons and locations for key established invaders in San Francisco Bay, (v) To collect/analyze additional ballast water samples using light traps and large folding nets for highly mobile species (especially crab larvae, mysids and other pericarideans, and fish) that are important invaders poised to spread via domestic ballast water; and (vi) To deted analysis, combining use of a key array of existing samples and additional field work, to assess the risk of' invasion by alien species in domestic ballast water including such species as crabs (especially green and mitten crabs, copepods. amphipods mysids and fish.
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Anson H. Hines and Jeffrey A. Crooks
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
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