Arkansas Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan
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c=85 m=19 y=0 k=0 c=57 m=80 y=100 k=45 c=20 m=0 y=40 k=6 Arkansas Aquaticc=15 m=29 y=33 k=0 c=100 Nuisance m=0 y=91 k=42 c=30 m=0 y=5 k=0 Species Management Plan May 14, 2013 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ....................................................................................................................... 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................... 4 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 7 The Natural Setting ..................................................................................................................... 7 The Biodiversity.......................................................................................................................... 9 The Human Element ................................................................................................................... 9 The Threat of Aquatic Nuisance Species .................................................................................. 11 The Development of a Plan ....................................................................................................... 12 ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION ................................................................................... 14 Private Aquaculture in Arkansas .............................................................................................. 14 Management and Control of Aquaculture Species in Arkansas ............................................... 14 History of Asian Carp in Commerce ........................................................................................ 15 Native or Long-Established Non-Native Aquatic Nuisance Species ........................................ 16 PATHWAYS .................................................................................................................................... 17 ANS Transported Unintentionally ............................................................................................ 17 Deliberate, Unlawful Introductions .......................................................................................... 22 Introduction through Natural Spread ........................................................................................ 25 GOAL ............................................................................................................................................. 25 OBJECTIVES AND PROPOSED STRATEGIES ...................................................................................... 25 OBJECTIVE 1 – Coordination: ................................................................................................ 25 OBJECTIVE 2 – Education: ..................................................................................................... 27 OBJECTIVE 3 – Rapid Response and Recovery: .................................................................... 28 OBJECTIVE 4 – Prevention: .................................................................................................... 28 OBJECTIVE 5 – Management and control of ANS: ................................................................ 29 OBJECTIVE 6 – Potential new ANS and pathways for introduction into Arkansas: .............. 31 PROGRAM MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT ....................................... 31 RAPID RESPONSE PLANS OF ACTION .............................................................................................. 31 Identification ............................................................................................................................. 32 Rapid Response and Recovery Team Formed and Activated ................................................... 33 Post-Treatment Inspection and Liabilities ................................................................................ 33 Long-Term Monitoring ............................................................................................................. 33 IMPLEMENTATION TABLE .............................................................................................................. 34 FOCAL SPECIES PROFILES .............................................................................................................. 45 Pathogens .................................................................................................................................. 52 Plants/Algae .............................................................................................................................. 65 Mollusks .................................................................................................................................... 92 Crustaceans ............................................................................................................................. 107 Insects ..................................................................................................................................... 115 Fish .......................................................................................................................................... 117 Birds ........................................................................................................................................ 138 Mammals................................................................................................................................. 142 ANS Management Plan Page 2 JURISDICTIONS ............................................................................................................................. 146 Federal Agencies ..................................................................................................................... 146 State Agencies ......................................................................................................................... 155 Affected Organizations (No Jurisdiction) ............................................................................... 160 National Programs .................................................................................................................. 160 State Programs ........................................................................................................................ 161 Jurisdiction Concerns and Issues ................................................................................................ 161 GLOSSARY ................................................................................................................................... 163 ACRONYMS USED ........................................................................................................................ 166 LITERATURE CITED ...................................................................................................................... 167 APPENDIX A: ARKANSAS A.N.S. PLAN TASK FORCE MEMBERS .................................................. 190 APPENDIX B: OFFICIAL STANDARDS FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF COMMERCIAL BAIT AND ORNAMENTAL FISH IN ARKANSAS. ARKANSAS STATE PLANT BOARD ........................................ 191 Appendix C: Using the HACCP Approach for the Biosecurity of Your Farm .......................... 196 Appendix D: Circular 11, State Plant Board, Regulations on Plant Diseases and Pests ............ 205 Appendix E: Approved Species List- Aquaculture ..................................................................... 253 Appendix F: Example of Arkansas Outdoors Press Release ...................................................... 259 ANS Management Plan Page 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Arkansas, “The Natural State,” has abundant aquatic resources in the form of rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs, springs, and groundwater. World-class fisheries for bass and trout attract anglers from around the country for competitive tournaments as well as recreational fishing. Arkansas is located entirely within the Mississippi River drainage and is home to important aquatic habitats, such as some of the few remaining bottomland hardwood wetland areas in the south. Due to the presence of six distinct eco-regions, the aquatic fauna is one of the most diverse in the country. In addition to its natural assets, Arkansas is second in the nation in aquaculture production. The state leads the nation in the production of baitfish, hybrid striped bass fingerlings, largemouth bass food-fish, and triploid grass carp (used for aquatic vegetation control). Arkansas is also third in catfish production. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) operate five warmwater and three coldwater hatcheries that raise and distribute millions of fish into public waters around the state. Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) are a growing concern for many natural resource agencies. ANS are aquatic (and sometimes terrestrial) organisms that, when introduced into new habitat, can threaten the diversity or abundance of native aquatic species. ANS can also put at risk the ecological stability of infested waters, or the commercial, agricultural, aquacultural, or recreational activities dependent upon such waters. Native species can be affected through increased competition for food and nutrients. Many non-natives carry diseases that can be transferred to native species or humans. Aquatic weeds can choke out waterways, clog pipes, and restrict recreational use of a water body. According the US Geological Survey’s