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

APPENDIX A
OPTIONS PAPER
I NTENTIONAL I NTRODUCTIONS
POLICY REVIEW
BACKGROUND:
The adverse consequences of several recent
introductions, particularly the zebra mussel,
resulted in the passage of the Nonindigenous
Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act
(P.L. 101-646) in November of 1990. The Act
defines nonindigenous species as "any species or
other viable biological material that enters an
ecosystem beyond its historic range." Under the
Act, a Federal interagency Aquatic Nuisance
Species (ANS) Task Force was established to
assure a coordinated and cooperative effort
among Federal, State, and other officials and the
private sector. The bulk of the Act and its
required activities concentrate on unintentional
introductions. These activities include the estab-
lishment of a Zebra Mussel Demonstration
Project, a national ballast water control program,
and a grant program for the development of
State ANS management plans. The Act also calls
for the implementation of an ANS Program to
prevent, monitor, and control aquatic nuisance
species; carry out research and education pro-
grams; and provide technical assistance. A draft
of the ANS Program should be available soon.
Though the Act was passed largely in response to
current crises related to unintentional introduc-
tions, Congress recognized that there were
potential problems with other forms of introduc-
tion as well. These other forms were referred to
as "intentional" introductions but included acci-
dental release from aquacultural facilities (e.g.,
hatcheries, fish farms, aquarium plant or fish
holding facilities) as well as those clearly
intended for direct release to aquatic ecosystems.
While these differences were understood and the
potential threat of adverse consequences from all
forms of release were recognized, Congress also
recognized the importance of some nonindige-
nous species, particularly to private industry. In
the face of this complexity, it was felt that insuffi-
cient information was available on the options for
reducing adverse consequences to justify
Congressional action at that time. Section 1207
was therefore included in the Act to begin to
gather the needed information.
Section 1207 required that the Task Force "...in
consultation with State fish and wildlife agencies,
other regional, State and local entities, poten-
tially affected industries and other interested par-
ties, identify and evaluate approaches for
reducing the risk of adverse consequences asso-
ciated with intentional introductions of aquatic
organisms and submit a report of the findings,
conclusions and recommendations to the appro-
priate Committees." Notice that this is not lim-
ited to finfish, but includes all aquatic organisms.
To accomplish this Congressional mandate, the
Task Force formed the Intentional Introductions
Folicy Review Committee. While some of the
options discussed in this document (if recom-
mended, authorized, funded, and implemented),
could entail new regulatory actions, this
Committee is not empowered to set in place
any new regulations. Its final product will be a
Report to Congress.
The Committee held its initial meeting in
November of 1991 to set forth an agenda for
completion of the policy review and to begin
developing a list of contacts to initiate the
process of consulting with the interested and
potentially affected entities. By December of
1991, the list had expanded to over 350 names
representing the fish and wildlife conservation
agencies and aquaculture coordinators of all 50
States, a number of Federal agencies, industry
(aquaculture, fishing, aquarium trade), environ-
mental and recreational organizations, academia,
and professional scientific organizations. On
December 20, 1991, the Task Force sent a letter
to all identified entities to invite their involvement
in the policy review process. Each was requested
to identify potential options for meeting the goal
of reducing the risks associated with intentional
introductions and invited to participate in a pub-
lic meeting on February 26, 1992. A similar
request and invitation were published in the
Federal Register on January 22, 1992. The public
meeting, held in the Department of Commerce
29