U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) joined a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers in introducing the National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2002 (NAISA). The bill represents a comprehensive strategy to combat aquatic organisms invading United States waterways by reauthorizing and strengthening the National Invasive Species Act of 1996. These organisms, referred to as invasive species, cause enormous damage to our economy and environment. NAISA represents a coordinated effort among lawmakers representing many different regions of the country to address the threat that aquatic invasive species pose.
"Invasive species have devastating impacts on water quality, agriculture, and public health, adversely affecting the environment and our economy," noted Senator Akaka at a press conference following the introduction of NAISA. "Nowhere is this situation more evident than in Hawaii. Each year, Hawaii becomes home to over 20 new species. The federal interagency Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force estimates that Hawaii alone has 4,465 non-indigenous species. It is a problem of unbelievable magnitude."
Aquatic invasive species in Hawaii include the bristle-nosed catfish, which has no natural predators and overwhelms native fish populations because it eats all the algae it comes across, and the blue-striped snapper, which feeds on many small native fishes and has reduced their populations. The legislation introduced in the Senate and House of Representatives will authorize research and provide effective response mechanisms to ensure that exotic species do not become a part of Hawaii ecosystems.
The legislation also authorizes $6 million per year for fiscal years 2003 through 2007 to implement the Brown Tree Snake Control Program. Improvements to the program include the appointment of an interagency coordinator to provide oversight and direction over federal actions dealing with brown tree snake control and the creation of rapid response teams to control the snake. On Guam, brown tree snakes are responsible for the extinction of 12 native bird species, one out of every thousand visits to the emergency room, and weekly power outages. This is just one invasive species, but its effects have been widespread, expensive, and dangerous.
"This bill provides proper attention and management for efforts to control and prevent the spread of brown tree snakes. The Invasive Species Council would be directed to appoint a coordinator to provide oversight and direction over federal actions dealing with brown tree snake control. I have worked to ensure that this legislation provides a mechanism to improve interagency coordination on this critical issue," said Akaka.
