The tropical lionfish, a favorite at the Atlantis Marine World, has also been sighted in Long Island Sound! Photo by Chris Paparo Atlantis Marine World www.fishguyphotos.com

Coming to Marine Waters Near You

he introduction of new species into the Great tropical exotic fish such as triggerfish, porcupine fish, TLakes and other freshwater bodies, and resul- and angelfish—a delightful treat! These exotics are tant economic and ecological impacts on freshwater transported up the East Coast by seasonal ocean ecosystems has been well documented by years of currents and they rarely (if ever) live much beyond research. More recently, there has been increased the time when water temperatures drop in winter. The media coverage about similar impacts in marine earliest sailing ships carried pioneer explorers across ecosystems. the globe and unwittingly transported marine inverte- brates in the wooden hulls. Shipworms and sea lice Take the case of the lionfish. Reports of this colorful were transported to the United States from Europe in tropical fish Pterosis( volitans) in eastern Long Island this way more than 500 years ago. Hulls and keels Sound are quite surprising because this popular provide a surface for fouling flora and fauna macro- aquarium species usually lives in the tropical waters cosms to thrive, and, a number of non-native algae of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Conditions on the and bivalves were transported to Long Island Sound northeastern seaboard are not ideal to support lion- by this method. fish survival, and, seasonal presence of this exotic would not be cause for alarm if these fish died with Ballast tanks on commercial vessels are filled with the onset of winter. However, increased lionfish sight- water to maintain stability when the vessel is not ings could suggest a year-round presence in eastern loaded. Ballast water must be off-loaded (or dis- Long Island Sound. charged) when a vessel takes on additional cargo. Oftentimes, non-native species are taken up in bal- Invasives Making Waves last materials when the ballast tanks are being filled, How do such species get here? Non-native species and they are transported and released in new areas may be transported by many vectors including natural when the ballast water is discharged. The Chinese means such as ocean currents and hurricanes, mitten ( sinensis) was introduced into by accidental means, and, intentional release by waters off the west coast of the U.S. in ballast dis- humans. Anglers that fish in Shinnecock Canal on charge released by ships that moved cargo from the  eastern Long Island observe the seasonal arrival of Pacific coast of and China. This crab was first The (Eriocheir sinensis), The Lexicon of introduced into the western U.S. through ship ballast water, appears to be heading east. Invasion Photo courtesy of Paul Heinwitz, Oregon Sea Grant Non-native species are plants and that reported in the mouth have been transported, of a tributary in the intentionally or , shipped in mud and seaweed that provide a refuge unintentionally, into a , in 2005; for other hitchhiking organisms. In the tristate area, geographic region outside their native ecosystem. more recent reports anglers fish in the ocean with bait worms that were Other terms for non-native place it in the lower St. imported from Maine while packed in seaweed. Dr. species include: introduced, Lawrence River and the lower George Kraemer (Purchase College, SUNY) is work- exotic, alien, foreign and Hudson River. ing with a team of researchers at the University of transplant. These terms Connecticut to determine if the packaging material imply that an organism Two other non-native have been introduced to has been transported shipped with this popular bait is putting recreational the Atlantic coast of the U.S. in ballast discharge. into a new ecosystem. and commercial fisheries in Long Island Sound at The European green crab (Carcinus maenas) is native Examples of non-natives risk from harmful non-native species that may include in waters from Northern Africa to the Baltic Sea. This include certain agricultural animals and toxin-producing microalgae. crops, ornamental plants, crab was first recorded in the Mid-Atlantic in 1817, and fishery and established communities exist on rocky shores Non-native species are usually introduced uninten- stocks, livestock and pets. from New Jersey to Prince Edward Island, Canada. tionally, but, there are exceptions. For example, Such species may have The Japanese (or Asian) shore crab (Hemigrapsus intentional introductions occur when aquaria pets are significant benefits when sanguineus) was first reported in the U.S. in 1988 set free by their owners; this vector may have facili- kept under appropriate management. in New Jersey and has since spread northwards to tated the lionfish introduction in Long Island Sound. Maine and southwards to North Carolina. This crab is Anglers can introduce non-native species when they describes a permanent resident in LI Sound with large crab com- fish with bait imported from distant regions that was organisms that are non- native to the ecosystem munities established on the shores around Westches- purchased over the Internet. Individuals have been where they were introduced ter County. Populations of native crabs and, ironically, caught trying to smuggle non-native species for the and whose presence the non-native European green crab declined signifi- purpose of release in the wild in the hopes of estab- cause or are likely to cause cantly in LI Sound since the emergence of Japanese lishing a new fishery, especially when the organism is economic or environmental shore crabs. considered a delicacy. harm, or create risks to human health. Other industries also create pathways for transport- New Species Impact Marine Cryptogenic describes ing non-native species. Problems can develop when Ecology an organism that cannot non-native species are transported and inadvertently be categorized as native introduced in areas where they were not intended to Significant ecological impacts can occur when a non- or non-native. In the be released. For example, brood stock oysters are native species depends on native species as a major Mid-Atlantic region there food source and later threatens the native species’ are several cryptogenic sponges, jellyfish, and long term survival. Asian shore crabs eat juvenile marine worms. and dense communities of this invasive crab could be disastrous for the fishery that con- Naturalization occurs when a non-native species tinues to suffer from a major population decline. The reproduces consistently to European green crab has a voracious appetite for soft sustain populations over shell clams; its introduction was blamed for the col- more than one generation lapse of Maine’s soft shell clam fishery in the 1950s. without assistance from external sources, continued on page 6 including humans. Although unfavorable conditions in a new ecosystem could kill non-native species, if the nyseagrant.org organism is resilient, it may adapt and thrive. ... to read about exotic aquatic species on the move

Japanese (or Asian) shore crab (Hemigrapsus sanguineus) among algae, Montauk. Photo by Alberto Knie  Plants are invaders, too!

When it comes to exotic invasive species, plants are no slouches. In coastal Invasive species have been linked to several disease in the Hudson River because these crabs can burrow wetlands, exotic invasive outbreaks in ’s marine fisheries. Quahog into the embankment and increase erosion, which plants such as common Parasite Unknown (QPX), a prolific invasive pathogen can cause blockages on screens that protect intake reed and purple loosestrife that affects hard clams, was first recorded in New pipes at power plants, drinking water treatment facili- have been tenacious Brunswick, Canada, in 1959 and an epidemic oc- ties, and other industries. invaders displacing native curred in New York waters in 2002. Recently, Viral species over large areas A major problem in dealing with invasive species is of habitat. Now another Hemorrhagic Septicemia virus (VHSV) appeared in that our ability to take action is very limited once species can be added to the Great Lakes, and is responsible for the deaths these species are established. Marine habitats are the ranks of plant invaders of several hundred thousand round gobies in the St. on Long Island: Japanese very difficult ones in which to develop suitable treat- Lawrence River and a die-off of gizzard shad in Lakes knotweed. Already ment programs, and chemical treatment is usually Ontario and Erie in the spring of 2007. invasive worldwide, this not a viable option. Options for eradication are usu- species is spreading Such disease outbreaks that occur in major fisher- ally labor intensive and offer limited success. Given throughout Long Island. ies call for immediate management response. For the suite of vectors that contribute to the spread of Little is known about example, in response to the VHSV threat of 2007, non-native species, it makes sense to adopt prac- Japanese knotweed regulations were passed to prohibit the transport of tices that do not exacerbate this problem, especially populations in North America, but thanks fish and bait between different freshwater bodies when non-native species have the potential to invade to NYSG- funded in the Great Lakes and the marine district. Actions and control their new ecosystems. It is not easy research, this gap is taken by the State that necessitate closure of major to anticipate these ill-effects until after invasion is being addressed. Drs. fisheries or considerably limit fishing operations well underway, by which time options for control are Massimo Pigliucci and create financial hardship and income loss in coastal limited. Christina Richards of communities that depend on the affected fisheries. Stony Brook University — Antoinette Clemetson with contributions from conducted a study of the Economic burdens may be created if fishermen are Chuck O’Neill, Lane Smith and George Kraemer genetics of LI knotweed forced to spend more money to offset the impacts of populations. They found that the dominant way invasive species. Baymen used to fish with traps con- that knotweed spreads structed from wooden lathes, but these traps couldn’t is through vegetative stand up to attacks from shipworms. Consequently, reproduction after these fishermen use traps built from durable plastic- initial introduction by coated wire; plastic-coated gear is more expensive, nyseagrant.org seed. Their results offer but, doesn’t act as a magnet for shipworms. Invasive evidence of limited clonal ...for more information on invasive plants genetic diversity as well species can also damage physical structures. Scien- as the establishment tists are monitoring reports of Chinese mitten crabs of both non-hybrid and hybrid knotweed in the US. They also found substantial variation in traits and salt tolerance among plants. The ability to establish new populations by seed, and then spread over a site vegetatively, combined with adaptability to new conditions, contribute Anglers that use marine to the invasiveness of sandworms release other Japanese knotweed. organisms such as amphipods (inset) when they discard the – Lane Smith seaweed packaging material into the water. Photos by Barbara A. Branca