Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) are non-native plants and animals that live in marine and freshwater ecosystems and came here from other parts of the world.
Not all non-native species become invasive. But the species that do become invasive can cause serious environmental and economic harm to this region. Once established, aquatic nuisance species are expensive to control and almost impossible to get rid of.
- What’s the problem?
- How do aquatic nuisance species get here?
- What’s being done?
- Prevention is better than control
- What you can do
- Learn more/Resources
What’s the problem?
Non-native species can affect the region in many ways. They have the potential to:
- Out-compete native organisms for food and space.
- Introduce new parasites and diseases--some of which affect humans.
- Cross-breed with native organisms.
- Alter habitats critical to native species.
After habitat loss, aquatic nuisance species pose the greatest threat to the biological diversity of
Puget Sound
.
In 2004, a study commissioned by the Puget Sound Partnership reported that 54 non-native species have established themselves permanently, and an additional 23 others have been sighted in the Puget Sound region but may not be established nor are reproducing.
>> List of non-native species in Puget Sound
Non-native species of concern in
Puget Sound
basin
The following is a list of the invasive species of concern in
Washington
state’s Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan. Some are already present in the basin, and state and local agencies and organizations are working to eradicate them. Others have yet to make it to our waters. State and federal partners are working to prevent their introduction.
How do aquatic nuisance species get into Puget Sound?
Non-native species get here through a variety of pathways:
- Shipping. Ships from foreign ports offload their cargo in Puget Sound then often empty their ballast water tanks with invasive species in them. Also, non-native species attach themselves to ship hulls and “hitchhike” from one location to another.
- Aquaculture, aquarium businesses and live bait shops. Fish farm and shellfish operations as well as businesses that sell aquarium plants and animals or live bait can accidentally introduce harmful species.
- Consumers. People who buy products from these establishments can also introduce live specimens into the wild without knowing the consequences.
- Seafood sellers may also accidentally introduce non-native species.
- Researchers, universities and school science programs. Non-native species used for research or in school science programs can be released into the wild.
- Nursery trade. Suppliers of nursery stock often sell non-native aquatic plants, which can potentially spread to rivers and streams.
What’s being done in
Washington
state to manage
non-native species?
Puget Sound Partnership staff :
- Help improve current management and monitoring programs for Puget Sound .
- Provide policy guidance such as policies and programs to improve ballast water management or to detect and respond to invasive species.
- Provide technical and financial assistance such as funding to educate and train divers to survey for and control invasive tunicates.
- Publish reports and special publications.
- Advocate for Puget Sound in state, regional and national venues.
- Work on issues related to ballast water management.
- Coordinate the state’s response to eradicate invasive tunicates found in Puget Sound .
Washington State Department of Agriculture leads the state’s effort to monitor for and eradicate invasive spartina and invasive knotweed infestations. The agency also prevents the introduction of invasive aquatic plants through its quarantine programs, and controls other invasive aquatic plants.
Washington State Department of Ecology provides technical and financial assistance to local governments and lake associations to manage and eradicate freshwater invasive weeds such as Brazilian elodea and Eurasian milfoil.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regulates pathways and practices that introduce non-native animals, classifies non-native aquatic animals and responds to newly found animal invaders.
Tribes work with state and local agencies to prevent and control invasions on tribal lands.
Prevention is better than control
History shows that it’s less expensive to prevent introductions of non-native species than to control and eradicate them once they are established.
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| Modified from David M. Lodge, et al, Ecological Applications, 16(6), 2006 |
- Prevent the introduction of new aquatic nuisance species to the Puget Sound basin.
- Rapidly and effectively respond when any new species are detected.
- Stop aquatic nuisance species already here from spreading.
- Completely eliminate them as soon as possible, where possible.
Accomplishing the above goals requires the following efforts:
- Coordinated federal, state and local programs to lessen the environmental effects of invasive species already present in the basin and to prevent other species of concern from being introduced.
- Education to build awareness, help identify new invaders early and encourage voluntary management.
- Monitoring to detect and track aquatic nuisance species.
>> Learn more
For more information about the Puget Sound Partnership’s work on aquatic nuisance species, contact Kevin Anderson, Aquatic Nuisance Species Coordinator, 360.725.5452.