Aquatic Nuisance Species in Ballast Water:

Regional Issues & Activities

Presented by:

Marilyn Leland, Deputy Director

Lisa Ka’aihue, Project Manager

Citizens promoting environmentally safe operation of the Alyeska terminal and associated tankers.

What is PWSRCAC? • Independent non-profit organization formed in

1989 after the Exxon Valdez oil spill.• A local voice for communities and citizens on oil

industry decisions that affect them.• Organization is guided by the Oil Pollution Act of

1990 (OPA 90) and our contract with Alyeska.

• Disabled Tanker Towing Study

• PWS Tanker Risk Assessment

• Double-Hulled Tankers

• Escort Tugs

• Ice Detection Radar

• Vapor Control

Accomplishments

Working RelationshipsToday, the oil industry and regulators consult PWSRCAC and vice versa on oil transportation and related environmental issues.

From: globallast.imo.org

European Green Crab

Smithsonian research with PWSRCAC: Analysis of Coastal Invasions

• Nationwide Analysis of Coastal Invasions

• Literature-Based Synthesis and Online Database of All Reported NIS

• Field-Based Surveys to Provide Standardized Measures and Baseline to Track:

(a) New Invasions Over Time (b) Patterns of Spread

• Used to Guide and Evaluate Management strategies

Sampling in tanker ballast water

Conducting the Surveys: Methods

20 PVC panels and 2 wood blocks were deployed at 10 different blocks per embayment

Panels are constructed of PVC plastic and wood to attract species that settle on hard surfaces and those that bore into wooden structures.

October 2004-KJL

Conducting the Survey: Methods

▪They were then retrieved after an approximate “soak time” of 3 months in the water

▪Panels were placed 1m below mean low water and attached to fixed structures already within the embayment

Processing the data

▪Individual organisms of each different morphotype were identified, collected, and preserved.

▪These specimens were then identified to species by SERC personnel and by outside taxonomists

October 2004-KJL

Field ResultsFrom 2000 Final Project Report

• 24 non-indigenous species have been introduced in Alaska– 15 species

recorded in Prince William Sound

– 13 species in Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet

Other Research Activities

• Ballast Water Exchange Experiments

• Green Crab Laboratory Studies

• Potential research: hull fouling

Future Project Directions

• Less emphasis on supporting baseline research

• More emphasis on:– Ballast water treatment

technologies– Green crab monitoring

• Legislative issues

Coordination• Member: Western

Regional Panel of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force

• Hold seat on the Invasive Species Advisory Committee – ISAC advisory to the

National Invasive Species Council

• Host: Non-Indigenous Species Working Group in Alaska

2001 Zebra Mussel Distribution  

Invasive Species: For more information…

• PWSRCAC: www.pwsrcac.org• Smithsonian Environmental Research Center:

www.serc.si.edu/labs/marine_invasions/index.jsp• Western Regional Panel: answest.fws.gov• State of Alaska Aquatic Nuisance Species

Management Plan– www.anstaskforce.gov/AK-Final-ANS%20plan%20govern

or%2010-4%20final.htm

• Invasivespecies.gov: www.invasivespecies.gov• Global Ballast Water Management Programme

globallast.imo.org