FWS employee showing invasive aquatic species water hyacinth. Hyacinth is a prolific non-native species that crowds out native vegetation. Credit: J&K Hollingsworth
The Branch of Invasive Species, part of the Service's Fisheries Program office in Washington D.C., leads the Service’s Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Program. The ANS Program is currently authorized by the National Invasive Species Act (1996; formerly the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990).
The ANS Program provides funding for ANS Coordinators for each Region within the Service and their respective aquatic nuisance species activities. These coordinators work closely with the public and private sector to develop and implement invasive species projects. Many of the Service’s Fishery Resources Offices also provide support for invasive species activities.
The ANS Program also funds staff for the ANS Task Force and numerous Task Force activities. Ten federal agencies and twelve Ex-officio members comprise the ANS Task Force, which is chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act and co-chaired by the Service’s Assistant Director for Fisheries and Habitat Conservation and the Undersecretary of Commerce/NOAA.
Branch of Invasive Species:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
4401 North Fairfax Drive
Mailstop 322
Arlington, VA 22203-1622
FAX: 703-358-1800 Branch of Invasive Species Staff
