Rev. March 15, 2004 Connecticut Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan
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- Natural Vectors
- Transportation Vehicle Vectors
Current and Potential Vectors[[ PAB NOTE: much of this section was lifted from MA Plan. TODO: Ask committees to please help modify the discussion to more accurately reflect the CT situation.]] A number of current and potential vectors were identified by the ANS Working group. A summary of these vectors is provided in the table below, followed by a comprehensive discussion. Section #### below describes the selection of vectors for priority management activity.
[[ PAB NOTE: This needs to be developed. Brief description of the role of wind and birds. ]]
[[ PAB NOTE: Especially for Freshwater Committee. This needs to be developed. Brief description of the role of fish ladders and water diversions.]]
[[ PAB NOTE: Especially for Freshwater Committee. MA plan did not mention seaplanes. Any thing you can provide on this would be appreciated.]] To date, the shipping industry has dominated the field of ANS research in the United States. Although Connecticut recognizes the threat from ballast water discharge, ports in the the state may receive relatively little ballast water as compared to other major ports in the US due to local trade patterns (Smith et al., 1999). Commercial Shipping Commercial shipping is often considered the most important means of unintentional introductions of ANS to coastal and estuarine waters of the United States and worldwide (Thresher, 2000). The steady rise of global commerce, increased shipping activities, and shorter transport times suggest that the threat of introductions through this pathway is likely increasing. Ballast Water: Shipping vessels commonly fill and release ballast tanks with seawater from harbors as a means of stabilizing loads. Research clearly indicates that live marine organisms ranging from plankton to adult fish are regularly transported and released via this pathway (Cohen and Carlton, 1995). US Coast Guard regulations recommending ballast water exchange at sea are currently voluntary. However, low compliance with these guidelines will likely result in a transition to the installation of mandatory ballast water management guidelines nation-wide. A recent Coast Guard/Massport study of ballast water management practices in Massachusetts suggests that ballast water discharge does occur in Massachusetts, but is likely minimal in comparison to other large US ports (Burke, 2001). However, this study is based on limited ballast water management reporting, and should be revisited as more records become available. This is likely true for Connecticut as well. Concern over new ANS introductions to Connecticut through ballast water discharge, limited knowledge of current ballast water practices, and questions regarding the effectiveness of ballast water exchange point to the following needs:
Hull fouling: Hull fouling may rival ballast water discharge as the leading historical cause of harmful ANS introductions (Thresher, 2000). Organisms with sedentary life history stages can attach themselves to the hulls of commercial vessels or become entangled in submerged ship components. These organisms can survive for extended periods on vessels of any size and be introduced through dislodging, disentanglement, or by spawning in the ports to which they are transported. Increased awareness by the commercial shipping industry of the threats posed by transported fouling organisms will be necessary to limit introductions through this pathway. In addition, research into environmentally safe and effective antifouling methods will be necessary as traditional tributyltin (TBT) antifouling agents are gradually phased out in many countries worldwide. Recreational Boating Lakes, ponds, and coastal waters of Connecticut provide recreational opportunities for a large population of boaters. The transportation of boats and their trailers between water bodies presents a risk of introduction through hull fouling, entanglement, and water discharge from bilge pumps and bait buckets (Helquist, 2001; Thresher, 2000). The use of recreational boats for fishing poses the additional risk of the release of imported bait species or species that serve as hosts for nonindigenous organisms. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||