7837

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7837
• Author: Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force.
• Title: Report To Congress, Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations of the Intentional Introductions Policy Review.
• USFW Year: 1994.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

Recommendation lA
Federal agencies should support the develop-
ment of education and extension programs that
promote or enhance: 1) general awareness of
nonindigenous species issues, 2) understand-
ing of the risks associated with introductions
and how to minimize them, 3) understanding
and enforcement of existing authorities, and 4)
the preferred use of indigenous species.
While a broad approach is needed, much of the
education effort needs simply to promote better
understanding of existing regulations and why
they are important. An excellent example of this
targeted approach appeared in a recent issue of
North Dakota Outdoors magazine (Umber
1992). The article chronicled the problems and
costs that had resulted from well-intentioned but
illegal and ill-advised transfers of fish between
aquatic ecosystems. In many ways, other options
overlap with education. For example, a Model
Code could be considered an educational tool;
the development of any form of lists would
involve both education and research; and the
development of Codes of Good Business
Practices would be educational for both industry
and government.
Education may be the most effective means of
reducing the risk associated with specific intro-
duction pathways, e.g., aquarium and baitfish
releases. While such an approach is important,
the Task Force does not believe that education is
solely the responsibility of the Federal govern-
ment, either financially or otherwise. Industries
should make an effort to inform end users of the
consequences of inappropriate use or disposal of
their products.
The case of baitfish introductions illustrates how
education has the potential to reduce the risk of
introductions. At the extreme, baitfish introduc-
tions could be stringently regulated. Indeed, sev-
eral Canadian provinces have adopted a
regulatory approach to reducing such risk.
British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan all
prohibit the use of live baitfish. Manitoba and
Ontario both prohibit the import of live baitfish
(Leach and Lewis 1991}. Nevertheless, move-
ment of baitfish beyond their natural range has
continued in Ontario (Litvak and Mandrak
1993). In a survey of baitfish customers, Litvak
and Mandrak found that almost half released
unused bait, and most thought that they were
helping the receiving ecosystem. To deal with
such a problem, the most appropriate measure
may be to seek an improvement in angler ethics
through an educational program to help anglers
understand why the release of live baitfish can be
costly and environmentally unsound.
One commenter made the suggestion that end
users be reached by providing educational mate-
rials through .pet stores for aquarium organisms
and with fishing licenses in the case of baitfish.
Recommendation lA received the broadest sup-
port of all of the recommendations in the
Proposed Report.
Recommendation 1B
Federal agencies should support and facilitate
the coordination of a national network of clear-
inghouses for educational materials and other
nonindigenous species information that would
support the educational efforts presented in
recommendation lA.
Educational efforts that inform the public, user
groups, and agency personnel of just what the
issues are (both the benefits and risks) are an
important first step to addressing these issues.
Virtually all State fish and wildlife conservation
agencies have ongoing educational efforts and
are always looking for helpful materials.
Extension Service programs across the country
are in frequent contact with private pond owners,
aquaculturists, 4-H clubs, and many other
groups. Educational information "hotlines" for
curriculum support services have contacted the
Task Force looking for information on intro-
duced species. Professionals within private
industry can help identify the best means to reach
those with whom education and extension efforts
would provide the biggest payoff in risk reduc-
tion. Coordination of these many efforts and
effectively reaching all appropriate audiences will
require that the implementation of recommenda-
tions lA and 1B involve State, Federal and Tribal
governments in conjunction with private industry
and other interested entities. Because many
interjurisdictional councils and commissions
already reach these same audiences, such panels
may serve an integral part in the education and
extension process. A specific recommendation to
this effect is offered in the "lnterjurisdictiona]
Consultations" section below.
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