FINAL VERSION State of Hawai‘i Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Management Plan September 2003 SSttaattee ooff HHaawwaaii‘‘ii Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan Final Version - September 2003 The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources Prepared through: Andrea D. Shluker, The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i This plan was prepared in conjunction with numerous representatives from Federal, State, industry, and non- governmental organizations. This includes the following Steering Committee members (listed in alphabetical order): Scott Atkinson, The Nature Conservancy, Robbie Kane, Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Earl Campbell, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Domingo Cravalho, Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture, Lu Eldredge, Bishop Museum, Ron Englund, Bishop Museum, Scott Godwin, Bishop Museum, Dale Hazelhurst, Matson Shipping, Cindy Hunter, University of Hawai‘i, Jo-Anne Kushima, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources, Kenneth Matsui, Pets Pacifica/Petland, Kim Moffie, Hawai‘i Audubon Society/Pacific Fisheries Coalition, Paul Murakawa, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources, Celia Smith, University of Hawai‘i, Mike Yamamoto, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources, Leonard Young, Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture Development Program, Ron Weidenbach, Hawai‘i Aquaculture Association. For further information about the State of Hawai‘i Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan, please contact William S. Devick, Administrator, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources, 808-587-0100, [email protected]. Mailing address: Division of Aquatic Resources, 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 330, Honolulu, HI 96813 This publication of the State of Hawai‘i Division of Aquatic Resources, Department of Land and Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i, and relevant partners was made possible through a generous grant from the Hawai‘i Community Foundation. Cover map produced by the Hawai‘i Natural Heritage Program. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Aquatic invasive species (AIS) include species in Hawai‘i. With approval of this plan by the Federal marine and inland waters whose introductions cause or Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, Federal are likely to cause economic or environmental harm, assistance for activities detailed in this plan may be and/or harm to human health. AIS are a serious made available to assist with implementation. problem in Hawai‘i, posing a significant threat to GOAL AND OBJECTIVES OF THE residents and visitors, as well as to Hawaii's native plants, animals, and associated native ecosystems. HAWAI‘I AIS MANAGEMENT PLAN Economic impacts of AIS have also been strongly felt The goal of the plan stated as follows: To minimize the with the recent control and clean-up efforts associated harmful ecological, economic, and human health with Salvinia molesta (Giant Salvinia) in Lake impacts of AIS through the prevention and management Wilson/Wahiawa Reservoir on O‘ahu. These control of their introduction, expansion, and dispersal into, and clean-up efforts cost the State and its partners within, and from Hawai‘i. To accomplish this goal, approximately one million dollars. Yet Salvinia seven objectives relating to AIS have been identified: molesta is only one of the many aquatic invasive • COORDINATION and COLLABORATION: species that threaten Hawai‘i, and there is a clear need Improve the coordination and collaboration of for a coordinated approach in which to address AIS on people, resources, and efforts involved with AIS. a statewide level. • PREVENTION: The purpose of this State of Hawai‘i Aquatic Invasive Minimize the introduction and spread of AIS into and Species (AIS) Management Plan is to act as a tool in throughout the waters of Hawai‘i. which to help enhance the coordination of current • MONITORING and EARLY DETECTION: management efforts, identify remaining problems Ensure effective programs that allow for the early areas and gaps, and recommend additional actions detection of new AIS and the monitoring of existing which are needed to effectively address AIS issues in AIS. Hawai‘i. The focus of this plan is the identification of • RESPONSE, ERADICATION and CONTROL: feasible, cost-effective management practices to be Establish effective systems for rapid response, implemented by State, Federal, county, non- eradication, control, and restoration. governmental, private, and volunteer entities for the • EDUCATION AND OUTREACH: environmentally sound prevention and control of Increase education and outreach efforts to ensure aquatic invasive species in a coordinated fashion. awareness throughout the State on AIS threats and solutions. FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR THIS PLAN • RESEARCH: The Federal Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Increase research efforts on key AIS species, Prevention and Control Act of 1990, amended by the associated issues, and economic impacts to allow for National Invasive Species Act of 1996, calls for the more effective management. development of State and regional management plans. • POLICY: Using guidance from the Federal Aquatic Nuisance Ensure State laws and regulations effectively Species Task Force, as well as input from Hawai‘i promote the prevention and control of AIS. representatives of State and Federal agencies, industry, These objectives, along with all associated strategies non-governmental organizations, and other are summarized in Table 1 on the following pages. stakeholders, this plan has been developed to comprehensively address AIS issues throughout PRIORITY TASKS NEEDED TO ACCOMPLISH PLAN GOAL AND OBJECTIVES High priority for the first year is placed on the following tasks: • Establishment of a permanent statewide position for an Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator; • Establishment of a long-term Aquatic Invasive Species Advisory Council; • Evaluation and decision upon whether AIS issues and ultimate responsibility will fall under the Division of Aquatic Resources, or a newly formed entity; • Implement and fund the existing Ballast Water and Hull Fouling Prevention Program; • Development of a system for streamlined reporting of, and rapid response to newly detected invaders; • Securing of dedicated, long-term funding for many of the activities within the plan; • Development of a system for that allows for risk assessment and a way to prioritize AIS; • Increase knowledge on the biology and ecology of AIS, asi well as methods for their control; State• Continue of Hawai‘i and AISincrease Management education efforts, Plan especially those focusing on unauthorized release of Septemberorganisms. 2003 Table 1. Summary Table of Strategies to Achieve Objectives 1. Coordination 1A: Continue and improve communication and collaboration among county, State, and and Collaboration Federal AIS programs and activities throughout all of the Hawaiian islands. 1B: Participate in and support appropriate regional, Federal, and international efforts addressing AIS. 1C: Set priorities for the management of existing AIS so that local, state, and Federal resources can be directed to manage Hawaii's highest priority AIS in a cost-effective manner. 1D: Integrate the coordination of AIS efforts with other resource management projects and entities, such as the local, state and federal agencies responsible for chemical use, water quality, and site management, within Hawai‘i. 1E: Increase existing funding sources for AIS management, and establish new long-term funding sources. 2A: Identify possible vectors and pathways of AIS introductions into and throughout Hawai‘i, 2. Prevention and assess the risks and impacts of these. 2B: Increase enforcement of existing regulations associated with controlling the transport, propagation, sale, collection, possession, importation, purchase, cultivation, distribution, and introduction of AIS. 2C: Reduce the possibility for unregulated purchases of prohibited and restricted AIS stocks that are still readily obtainable for sale or trade. 2D: Work with appropriate industry representatives and user groups who may be potential pathways of AIS introductions to ensure awareness of the threats of AIS, and to develop methods to better assist in preventing the introduction and transfer of AIS. 2E: Minimize AIS introductions and transfers by researchers and others involved in AIS field activities. 2F: Improve current importation practices to effectively address AIS introductions. 2G: Reduce the introduction and transfer of marine AIS via ballast water, ballast sediment, and hull fouling pathways (commercial and recreational). 2H: Assess and minimize activity related to planned, authorized introductions of nonnative species into freshwater systems. 3. Monitoring and 3A: Continue current monitoring efforts to better understand the spatial and temporal Early Detection distribution of AIS populations, and to detect new incipient populations. 3B: Identify gaps in current monitoring efforts referred to in Strategy 3A, and improve these efforts and the coordination of efforts among groups to better ensure detection of new or expanding AIS populations. 3C: Increase the number of knowledgeable individuals available for increased detection and monitoring efforts. 4. Response, 4A: Implement a coordinated system for rapid response efforts to contain newly detected AIS. Eradication, and Control 4B: Prioritize organisms on which to focus control efforts and develop specific control plans to address these. 4C: Integrate knowledge from efforts throughout