Coast Guard Auxiliary joins the fight against Aquatic Nuisance Species
By Wayne Spivak, ADSO-CS 1SR
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
WAR!
We're at War, and you're probably not even aware of the enemy. I'm sure you don't even know that the enemy has been here for years, and that their foot hold is growing stronger than ever. The enemy has been dubbed the ANS.
Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) has quickly become a top priority of marine biologists in the United States. These creatures which have invaded our lands have caused widespread and tremendous amounts of damage.
The United States Coast Guard has been tasked with fighting the encroachment caused by these creatures. As such, the Coast Guard Auxiliary has also taken up the fight. What exactly are Aquatic Nuisance Species? What does the Coast Guard and Auxiliary do to fight this menace? How can you help? These and other questions will be answered in this article.
Aquatic Nuisance Species
Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) (which are also non-indigenous species (NIS)) are marine animals that have been introduced into non-native or foreign eco-systems. The separate classification of ANS marks a significant difference between NIS animals and ANS animals.
While NIS animals, whose introduction into the eco-systems of our waters sometimes has had positive economic and/or ecological impact, those of the variety which have been called ANS have not. An example of positive introduction of a species is the Japanese oyster on the Pacific Coast of North America. These animals have formed the basis of a strong, vibrant aqua cultural economic boom.
However, the introduction of the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) has had disastrous results. This species out competes native mussels in the Great Lakes for food and location. The rate at which this animal is able to reproduce, has caused millions of dollars in damage to boats, power plants and water supplies by encrusting and ultimately decreasing or closing off intake pipes.
It is just for this reason, that the Coast Guard has been tasked with developing policies and procedures to mitigate the introduction of new animals into our ecosystem. But first, we need to know how the animals are introduced.
Introduction - Ballast Water
The majority of NIS animals are introduced into our countries eco-system through Ballast Water. Ballast is defined as additional weight, either internal or external which improves the righting force. The lower the center of gravity, the more stable a vessel will ride.
Many forms of ballast have been used during the long history of merchant sailing. Metal, stones, water and cargo have been used by shipmasters to increase the stability of their vessels. Upon reaching our shores, most often the ballast is no longer needed (either in part or whole) and it is left at the dock.
If you've ever traveled down the streets and by-ways of major east-coast port cities, you'll see the cobble-stone streets. These cobble-stones came from merchant shipping, where they were used as ballast.
Since the beginning of the 20th Century, water has become the ballast of choice. Hundreds of thousands of gallons of fresh, brackish or open ocean water has been used by vessels. These vessels have then dumped this ballast when they came into our ports.
Water, has we all learned in sixth-grade science, contains many different types of organisms. Bacteria, small mussels, marine plant life, and fish are found in water. However, these NIS are just that - non-native species. And among the NIS found in what can top an estimated 32 million gallons of water, in a single commercial vessel, are many ANS species.
In 1990 and 1996, Congress passed two acts to regulate ballast water. In 1990, they passed the Non-indigenous Aquatic Nuisance Species Prevention and Control Act (NANPCA), and then the National Invasive Species Act of 1996 (NISA). Both these acts charged the Coast Guard with regulating the handling of water ballast.
Recreational Activities
So how does this impact the Recreational Boater? Part of the NISA was the requirement that regulations be promulgated for the prevention and control of Zebra Mussels and other aquatic nuisance species from spreading via the millions of recreational boats used in the United States. Again, NISA tasked the United States Coast Guard with this mission.
Let's take the Zebra Mussel. These pesky and potentially dangerous ANS are also very resilient and innovative. They are like relatives that come to stay, and never leave. Once a marine vessel, be it a boat, a trailer, a SCUBA tank comes in contact with a zebra mussel, that mussel attaches itself to the item. These animals will live for more than 4 days, out of water!
So, if you trailer your boat from one body of water to another, and don't take precautions, you can potentially be introducing this pest to a new environment. And its just not trail boaters who need to be concerned. Here is a list of potential carriers of these pests:
- SCUBA Divers
- Waterfowl Hunters
- Recreational Anglers (fishermen)
- Boats (Trailer and non-Trailer types)
- Sail boats (all types including Wind Surfers)
- Seaplanes
- PWC
Guidelines
Here are some general guidelines on protecting the environment from ANS infestation. For the complete guide, visit the Coast Guards ANS Recreational Activities Guidelines at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/mso/vrag.htm.
1. Inspect all equipment that has been in contact with the water for "hitchhiking" organisms. Search out, and remove any animals or plant materials that might be clinging to the equipment.
2. All equipment should be dried for at least 5 days before placing it into another body of water.
3. Use of hot water and high-pressured water is suggested to remove any organisms.
4. Never release live bait taken from one body of water, into another.
5. PWC: All engines should be run for 5 to 10 seconds after removing them from the water to blow out water and vegetation from intake and exhaust manifolds and pipes.
6. Clean rudders, fishing equipment, inspect and bathe your dog(s).
7. Drain all water from your equipment.
The Auxiliary and ANS
Those of you who are interested in environmental issues may want to help both the environment and the Coast Guard by joining the Coast Guard Auxiliary. The Auxiliary is a key player in the Coast Guards outreach program. Through the Auxiliaries public education, Vessel Safety Check and Marine Dealer programs, as well as other public affairs programs, we seek to inform the Recreational Boating public of this danger to the environment.
Educational programs enlighten the public, who by taking simple precautions, like those mentioned previously, can seriously impact the spread of these aquatic pariahs. Membership in the Auxiliary is open to those US Citizens, 17 years of age or older. For more information on the Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary, call your local Coast Guard Station or visit us on the web at http://www.uscg.mil or http://www.cgaux.org
