Aquatic Invasive Species in Massachusetts
What They Are, How They Get Here, and What We Are Doing to Keep Them Out.
Jay Baker Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management
9/29/2005 presented by Jay Baker at a MIS monitoring training session. Massachusetts has been working to develop a Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan One of the goals of the Management Plan is to start monitoring networks. Thought it might be useful to share with you the approach we’ve taken in developing this comprehensive plan, highlight a few key problems we faced along the way, and give you some sense of the time frame we’ve been working on Should note: While the plan covers marine and freshwater invaders, the focus here is primarily on the marine components
1 Codium fragile ssp. Tomentosoides or green fleece, dead man’s fingers An introduced species from the Pacific Ocean around Japan is causing some major problems in Massachusetts.
2 Particularly in West Harwich on Cape Cod. Tons of codium is washing up on the beaches, Sitting there, rotting and wrecking the beach experience. Codium washes up making the beach unusable. The Town of West Harwich came to CZM (Coastal Zone Management) asking for suggestions to solve this problem.
3 The best idea so far has been to turn the codium into a Dune Restoration Project. Bulldozers mix the sand, slipper shells with the codium and pile it into dunes. The codium needs to attach to something hard. Off the West Harwich shore, the codium often attaches to common slipper shells (Crepidula fornicata ) which is found to be prolific in eutrophic waters. As the codium grows, the wave action will dislodge the shell and algae, eventually washing ashore during high tides and storms.
4 This dune is about 8 feet high and 150 yards long.
5 Problem is there is just not enough sand. Where is all this codium coming from?
6 The green areas on this map of the southeastern section of Cape Cod show the what was thought to be eelgrass distribution, based on aerial photographs of the region.
7 # ###### #### ## ### ## # # ## # # ## ## ## ## # # #### ## ### # ## # # ## # # # ## ## ## # # # # ### ## ## # # # # # # # ## # ## # # #### ## # #
However, when the areas were examined more closely by running transects with underwater cameras, areas of codium were found interspersed throughout the eelgrass beds. It is not known if the eelgrass is dying off from pollution, leaving room for the codium to become established, or if the codium is out-competing the eelgrass.
8 You might be thinking: “Why doesn’t someone use it for fertilizer?” Here is the lab report that shows that codium is not suitable for composting. First of all, the conductivity is 89, which means the salt content is very high. Secondly, two parts bulk material (sawdust, leaves, wood chips) would be needed for every one part of codium. It is just not feasible to use as compost.
No good management option, so for now it remains on the beach.
Question may be asked why is it so bad here and not other places. Need to look at the nitrogen situation on the Cape. Beach homes with septic systems may be providing the nitrogen to foster algal blooms.
9 Marine Invasive Species
What Are They?
“Nonindigenous or cryptogenic species that have that threaten the diversity or abundance of native species or the ecological stability and/or use of infested waters.” -Massachusetts Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan
Nonindigenous- a species transported beyond its native range Cryptogenic- a species of unknown origin
Synonyms- exotic, alien, nuisance
Definitions: preferred term now is “nonindigenous” since it is not clear that every introduced non-native species will become invasive.
10 Marine Invasive Species
Why are they so difficult to manage?
Biological pollutants with self sustaining populations
Often have few or no natural predators or pathogens
Native species may be unable to compete with them
Most successful invaders are pioneer or colonizing species adapted to variable and harsh environmental conditions.
Difficult to manage these biological invaders because once established they are self- sustaining. Massachusetts has felt the impacts from invasive species, including the green crab that has been here for the last 180 years or so.
11 The Massachusetts Experience
• Pimentel (1999) estimates a loss of $44 million per year due to green crab introduction • Carlton (2003) lists 86 known nonindigenous marine species in the Northeast and 67 Cryptogenic species • Pathogens have decimated shellfish stocks form the Chesapeake Bay to Atlantic November 2000 zebra mussel distribution Canada in the Northeastern US (USGS, 2001) • Feared species are knocking on our door
In a widely cited paper, Pimentel of Cornell university estimates a loss of 44 million dollars per year due to the collapse of the soft shell clam industry, for which the green crab is blamed On the freshwater side, Massachusetts state agencies spend in excess of 500,000 dollars a year on the management of aquatic weeds. As you might guess, we are hardly making a dent
Beyond established species, there is concern over species encroaching on our waters which have had devastating impacts in other states (Zebra Mussel). Zebra mussel is the poster child for introduced species that have become invasive. Note outline of waterways: Lake Champlain, Hudson River. The one spot were they have been found in Connecticut is at Twin Lakes, which is a shared watershed with Connecticut and Massachusetts. Not found in MA YET!
Otherwise, we don’t know enough about the distribution of invaders or their potential impacts
12 The Chinese mitten crab is in San Francisco. Probably from an intentional release in 1992, has been intercepted at airports, illegally imported alive from Asia because it is considered a food delicacy. 2000-01 $1million in federal funds spent on control methods. See SSCW Guide to Marine Invaders in the Gulf of Maine for more info.
13 Species of Concern
Established Marine Species • Green crab (Carcinus maenus) • Asian shore crab (Hemigrapsis sanguineus) • Lace bryozoan (Membranipora mambranacea) • Ship worms (Toredo bartschi, Toredo navalis, Limnoria sp.) • Ascidians • Various shellfish pathogens (MSX, Dermo, SSO, QPX) • Codium (Codium fragile)
Here are a few of the bad critters, both present in Massachusetts, and threatening. Green crab came to our coast in 1817 in ship dry ballast (stones) Asian shore crab found in New Jersey in 1988; made its way to Massachusetts around 1998-2000. Lacy crust bryozoan encrust seaweed fronds, particularly kelp, causing it to break, which in turn may lead to codium fragile ssp tomentosoides coming to establish the barrens. Ascidians common name is sea squirts; generally known as fouling organisms. Shellfish pathogens See SSCW Guide to Marine Invaders in the Gulf of Maine for more info.
14 Species of Concern
Threatening Marine Species • Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) • Rapa or veined whelk (Rapana venosa) • Nori (Porphyra yezoensis) • Caulerpa (Caulerpa taxifolia)
Our aquaculture business is very concerned over shellfish pathogens that may be carried by introduced oysters. Rapa whelk has invaded the Chesapeake Bay region and is a major predator of shellfish. The Virginia Institute of Marine Science pays a bounty for live and dead Rapa venosa to determine the distribution rates and directions. Nori is a cultured seaweed used in sushi and as fish food. Maine is actively culturing to reproduce and grow in colder water. Caulerpa or the “killer algae” has blanketed the Mediterranean sea floor and been found at the end of a stormdrain pipe in California lagoons. The one year cost of eradication effort in one southern California lagoon was more than $1.1 million. Over and over again it is proven that once non-native species become established it is a Herculean task to remove or eradicate.
15 How Do They Get Here?
Marine Invasive Species Transport Vectors
The vectors that we’ve chosen to focus on so far are the usual suspects. It is not know what is sold in live bait machines. Nuclear worms (long and brightly colored) native to SE Asia has been sold by bait dealers. Better to have cut bait in the machines. A common aquarium plant, Eurasian watermilfoil, have rendered many Massachusetts lakes and ponds unusable for fishing, boating, and swimming. One can still go to Petco and buy this without any warning about its invasive properties.
Another common transport vector is ballast water and aquaculture.
16 Pathways of Introduction
Top Priority Transport Vector Worldwide
Ballast Water
Currently, 45,000 commercial cargo carrying vessels and hundreds of thousands of recreational vessels cross the oceans, carrying thousands of hitchhiking species. At least 7,000 different species are likely to be transported in ballast water each day. Ballast water flows into US harbors at a rate of 2 million gallons per hour. (Carlton, 1999 and Carlton et al. 1995 from the PEW Oceans Commission Report: Introduced Species in U.S. Coastal Waters.) What is needed: compulsory ballast water exchange off shore and research into ballast water treatment methods. National Invasive Species Act is federal legislation that gives authority to the U.S. Coast Guard. Legislation is up for reauthorization. It requires ballast water exchange outside of U.S. waters. U.S. Coast Guard needs to be able to increase its enforcement and supervision capabilities.
17 Pathways of Introduction Findings
Non ballast pathways are important vectors
Pet industry imports the greatest variety of species, the seafood industry the greatest volume
Industries are discharging wastewater containing live organisms
Seafood, bait, and pet companies were not familiar with the AIS threat
The European green crab in 1990 made its way to the Pacific coast in California and Oregon via seaweed with bait worms. Seafood packaging using plant materials carries who knows what to a new location.
People are unaware of the multitude of species moving in these transport vectors.
18 Pathways of Introduction
Other Pathways • Pet Trade • Water Gardens
Hydrilla that is choking Long Pond on Cape Cod probably came from someone’s water garden. People need to be trained to ask about the nature of the plant they are buying. Does it have invasive characteristics: 1. Reproduce easily? 2. Tolerate varying temperatures, moisture, salinity, etc.? 3. Is it opportunistic, adaptable?
And how to discard unwanted seaweeds and animals. Some quick tips: Place aquatic seaweeds in sealed plastic bags and put in the trash. Place seaweeds and/or animals in the freezer for 24 hours before disposal.
19 Pathways of Introduction
Other Pathways Seafood Industry
Industries need to be made aware of how they are contributing to the problem. Reasonable, inexpensive methods to reduce the transport of non-natives must be found.
20 Pathways of Introduction
Other Pathways Recreational Boating and Fishing
Maine is the first New England state legislature to establish tough regulations for boaters and a campaign to educate the public. Boaters must purchase a sticker ($15 resident/$30 nonresident) that is placed on the boat saying “Don’t spread invasives”. The money goes to supporting the state invasive species program. State enforcement can also write tickets and fines up to $200 to boaters caught transporting invasives or not having clean hulls.
21 Pathways of Introduction
Other Pathways COLLECTIONS AS1 BIO-DISPLAY COLLECTION $125.00 • Aquaculture AS2 BIO-INSTRUCTIO N C O LLE C TION $125.00 • Marine Research and LIVE M ARINE ALGAE LA 1 A S S O R TM E N T (6-8 species) $56.00 Supply SPONGE COLLECTIO N (5 PR8A species) $50.00 CNIDARIAN COLLECTIO N (6 -8 C N 28A species) $75.00 ARTHROPOD COLLECTIO N (9 -1 2 A R 142A species) $95.00 M O LLU S C C O LLE C TIO N (11-13 M L218A species) $90.00 ECHINODERM COLLECTIO N (9 - E N 308A 11 species) $90.00 TU N IC A TE C O LLE C TIO N (5 U R 355A species) $50.00
The internet still is a means of non-native species distribution. Most anything can be found. Need to keep educating everyone.
22 Pathways of Introduction
Other Pathways Internet Sales
Caulerpa Feathery Variety (Caulerpa sp) $14.00 SAI059
Federal law makes buying or owning Caulerpa taxifolia illegal, but one can still buy Caulerpa species, whatever that is.
23 Pathways of Introduction
Other Pathways Bait Industry
Fishermen may hang bait bag over the side or release what they do not use, never realizing that they might be introducing another non-native species with invasive possibilities.
24 What Are We Doing About Marine Invasive Species?
25 Massachusetts Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan Massachusetts Aquatic Invasive Species Working Group
Prepared by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management
Massachusetts completed a Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan The working group consists of state agencies, academics and the Nature Conservancy. The regional network meets twice a year.
26 Management Objectives and Actions
Categories of Strategic Actions • Coordination • Prevention • Monitoring • Early Detection • Control • Education • Research • Legislation
94 Tasks identified so far
Decided to focus on prevention and education, with the hopes of early detection of new nonindigenous species so that eradication is possible. Good start on identifying priorities-doing as much as we can at this point Strategies have been developed, but the funding is lacking for implementation. Here are some the categories we need to address. : 1) Coordination 2) Prevention 3) early detection 4) control (existing populations) 5) education
We’ve begun to address these issues, and I don’t have time to outline them all, but some highlights include
27 Coordinating Management Activities
Dedicate a minimum of two full time employees to AIS management (one freshwater and one coastal)
Establish a Northeast Regional Panel of the Federal Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force
Some of the steps that have been taken.
28 Preventing the Introduction and Spread of Marine Invaders
STOP Recreational Boating and The Spread of… Fishing
Eurasian Milfoil Fanwort Variable Milfoil Zebra Mussel Eurasian Milfoil
NUSIANCE AQUATIC Boater education PLANTS AND ANIMALS
HELP PROTECT OUR LAKES AND PONDS • Remove ALL plants and animals from boat, trailer, anchors, fishing gear and dive gear. Distribute AIS educational materials • Flush engines and dispose of bait, bilge water and bait bucket water on land away from shore. with boater registration packets • Never release any plant or animal into a body of water, unless it came out of that body of water. • Dispose of all foreign matter far from water!
For information or to report an infestation, please contact:
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Lakes and Ponds Program EOEA Secretary 1-617-626-1382 or 1-617-626-1411 DCR Commissioner Ellen Roy Herzfelder Katherine F. Abbott or visit www.mass.gov/lakesandponds
29 Preventing the Introduction and Spread of Marine Invaders Pet Trade Conduct education and planning workshops for major industries
Develop outreach materials
Have conducted workshops for Pet Store owners, mainly the local, small mom and pop stores. Low attendance, probably difficult to get the time away from the store.
The big stores and pet organizations (Petco and Walmarts) are becoming active promoters of responsible distribution. They are adding signage and advertising about the spread of invasive species. There should be some matching federal funds to help this along.
30 Preventing the Introduction and Spread of Marine Invaders
Conservation Commissions
Provide information to Con Coms on how invasive species might be spread through development activities
Develop model Orders of Condition for minimizing the introduction and spread of invaders
Massachusetts MACC website will be setting up an invasive clearinghouse. Discusses the importance of seed dispersal at any disturbance site. Clean construction vehicles is important prevention step. Fill needs to be inspected as well as the vehicles working in the area or moving fill.
31 Preventing the Introduction and Spread of Marine Invaders
General Public
Educate the public about what they can do to prevent introductions
Many organizations are working to produce educational material like CZM’s booklet on Biological Invaders
32 Monitoring for Marine Invaders
Rapid Assessment Survey of floating docks along the Gulf of Maine
Train citizens groups to monitor for AIS
Assess risks of the introduction of priority species
Copy of the 2003 RAS: http:// web.mit.edu/seagrant/pubs/
Rapid assessment surveys of floating docks have been conducted throughout New England See the publication of the 2003 RAS results http://web.mit.edu/seagrant/pubs/
Working to train citizens to monitor their locals for non-native species.
33 Monitoring: Massachusetts Rapid
RO W LEY Assessment LAWRENCE IP S WI C H NO R T H ROC K PO RT BOX FOR D
AN D OVE R
ESSEX TOPSFIELD GL O UC ESTER HA MI L TO N AND OV ER # # State Fish Pier TEW KS B UR Y MIDDLETON N WENHAM
MANCHE STE R Cape Ann Marina NORT H READING DA N VE R S W E Surveys BEVER LY BI LLE RICA WILMIN GTON S RE AD I N G # LY N N F IE L D PE AB OD Y Tucks Point # MARBLEHEAD
WAKEFIELD SA L EM Hawthorne Marina BU R L IN GT O N BE DF ORD 5000 0 5000 10000 Meters
WOBURN STONE HA M SA UG US LY N N SWA MP SC OTT
MELROSE WINCHESTER LE X IN G T O N NAHANT MALDE N • Collaborative effort: MEDF O RD ARLIN G TO N RE V E R E
EVERETT
SO M E BEL MO NT R V CH EL SE A I L WALTHAM L E CA M BR I WINTHROP DG E Constitution Marina WATE RT OW N #
WESTON # MIT Sea Grant, CZM, Mass Rowes Wharf # NE W TON # MWRA - Deer Island
Black FalconE N LI K BOS TON O O R B WELLESLEY Terminal HU L L Bays, others NE ED H A M # Bay Point Marina QUIN CY DE D H AM MILT ON DO V E R HINGHAM COH A SS ET
WESTWOOD
BRAI N TR EE SC IT UA T E
WEYMOUTH NO R W O O D RA N D OL PH CA N TON NOR W E LL
HO L B R O O K ROC K L AN D WALPOLE MARS H FIE LD • Documented presence HA N OVE R AV ON STOU GHTO N AB INGTON
SHARON
WHITMAN BROC KT ON PROVINCET OWN HA N SO N PE MB RO KE of species in ports and FOXB OR OUGH EASTON DUXBURY EAST # Duxbury Public Pier
WE S T BRIDGEWATER TR URO
MANS FI ELD BRIDGEWATER
harbors of Massachusetts NOR T H HAL IFAX KI NG STON # BRIDGEWATER NO RT O N Plymouth Town Dock PLY MP TON WELLFLEET
ATTLEBORO (summer 2000) TAU NT O N RAYN HAM MIDDLEBOROUGH
PLYMOU TH REH OB OT H
CAR VER EA STHA M
DIGHTON BERKLEY LAKEVILLE EKONK
ORLEANS RO CH EST ER WA REH A M # Sandwich Marina
• Identified 24 introduced FR E ET O W N SWANSEA Bourne Marina # BREWSTER T E # S R E M DE N N IS O S FAL L R IV E R MARION SAND WIC H Barnstable Marina # ACUSHNET # Fall River Battleship Cove BOURNE NE W CH A TH AM and 49 cryptogenic HAR W IC H YA RM OU T H BARN STABLE
BE DF OR D MAT TA POISETT
FAIRHAVEN # New Bedford species along the WE STP OR T Development Commission MASHPEE Massachusetts coast DARTMOUTH FAL MO UT H Tripp Marina Eel Pond # # # Woods Hole Coast Guard Station
LD NO OS (three previously G TIS BUR Y OAK BLUFFS undocumented) Rapid Assessment Survey Sampling Locations (Pederson, 2002)
The rapid bioinvasive assessment was spearheaded by MIT Sea Grant, and supported by MCZM, MassBays, and MassAudubon.
Discovered that about 15 % of the species were nonindigenous or of unknown origin.
This interagency effort started in northeastern Massachusetts and continued through Rhode Island to document the presence of exotic species on floating docks in ports and harbors of these two states
This event received a lot of attention, and gave momentum to the generation of a statewide Aquatic Invasive Species management Plan along with $15,000 grant from EPA
34 Another goal in the establishment of a monitoring network is to have a central database. We need to know what is here. http://www.marineid.org Therefore, we have created MarineID, which will allow monitoring groups to record their species observations. This will help us learn about new species before they are wide spread and learn about the distribution of introduced species.
35 We have distribution maps and are developing species profiles on the MarineID
36 The marineID data entry template (MS Access) and a help tutorial can be downloaded by clicking on the links below. Data can be submitted to marineID by emailing completed forms to [email protected]. All data will go through a series of quality assurance checks prior to posting to the web site.
37 Responding to Marine Invaders
Early Detection/Rapid Response
http://www.northeastans. org/resources.htm From NEANS Northeast Aquatic Nuisance Panel has been working on marine habitat restoration.
This slide is about the EDRR protocol being developed by the NEANS Panel.
38 What You Can Do
Get Involved
Lakes and Ponds Program Weed watchers
Salem Sound Coast Watch Introduced Species Monitoring Program
Learn the Species of the New England Coast
39 What You Can Do Take Your Own Precautionary Measures
Boaters: Thoroughly clean boats and boat trailers prior to leaving a waterway
Never release live organisms into a waterway – unused bait or bait packing materials – unwanted aquarium pets or contents – unconsumed shellfish or shellfish waste
Landscape your home with native plants
Spread the word!
40 What You Can Do Support Programs that are Designed to Combat Invasive Species
41 Web Resources
• www.state.ma.us/czm/ • www.NortheastANS.org • www.MarineID.org • www.invasivespecies.gov
42 Questions?
The “Killer Algae” Caulerpa taxifolia
43