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

FRAMEWORK FOR FINDINGS
AND RECOMMENDATIONS
"...the Task Force shall, in consultation with
State fish and wildlife agencies, other regional,
State and local entities, potentially affected
industries and other interested parties, identify
and evaluate approaches for reducing the risk of
adverse consequences associated with intentional
introduction of aquatic organisms and submit a
report of their findings, conclusions and recom-
mendations to the appropriate Committees. "
-Section 1207
ORIGIN AND PROCESS
OF THE REVIEW:
The Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance
Prevention and Control Act (Act) was passed by
the 101st Congress and signed into law as P.L.
101-646 on November 29, 1990. The Act estab-
lished the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force
(Task Force) to carry out the many mandates of
the law. Though the Act was passed primarily in
response to current crises related to uninten-
tional introductions (e.g., zebra mussel and
European ruffe via ballast water), Congress rec-
ognized that there were potential problems with
other forms of introduction as well. These other
forms were referred to as "intentional" introduc-
tionsbut included accidental release from hold-
ing and production facilities (e.g., hatcheries, fish
farms, aquarium plant or fish facilities) as well as
those clearly intended for direct release to
aquatic ecosystems (e.g., stocking programs).
While differences may exist between the various
forms of release, the potential threat of adverse
consequences from all forms was recognized.
Congress, however, also recognized the impor-
tance of some nonindigenous species, particu-
larly to private industry. In the face of this
complexity, it was felt that insufficient informa-
tion was available on the options for reducing
adverse consequences to justify Congressional
action. The purpose behind Section 1207 was to
require an examination of the issues involved in
intentional introductions and recommended
actions before additional legislation would be
enacted.
To accomplish this review, the Task Force formed
the Intentional Introductions Policy Review
Committee (Committee). The Committee held
its initial meeting in November of 1991 to set an
agenda for completion of the policy review and to
begin developing a list of interested and poten-
tially affected entities to consult. 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 to participate in a public meet-
ing on February 26, 1992. A similar request was
published in the Federal Register on January 22,
1992.
The public meeting, held at the Department of
Commerce in Washington, D.C., was attended by
a diverse group of 25 participants. A summary of
the options that had been identified in the written
responses was presented. Following presentation
of the summary and an open microphone session
for those in attendance to identify additional
options or provide additional detail on previous
submissions, Committee members and attendees
held an open forum discussion of the options.
The purposes of the discussion were to identify
variations on the options and to allow partici-
pants the opportunity to begin assessing the
potential advantages or difficulties of each
option. Between the written comments and pub-
lic meeting attendees, more than 100 non-Task
Force individuals, groups, and organizations had
contributed to the identification of options.
A summary of the identified options and the ini-
tially recognized advantages and difficulties with
each was then prepared as an "Intentional
Introductions Policy Review-Options Paper,"
presented to the Task Force in April 1992, and
made available to the public in May 1992. The
options developed and discussed in the Options