Aquatic invasive species are a global threat
that affect the economic
security, management, and beneficial uses of our coastal ecosystems. In order to maximize
the benefits and effectiveness of NOAA's research investments towards understanding,
preventing, responding to, and managing aquatic species invasions in U.S. coastal ecosystems,
the agency established the NOAA National Center for Research on Aquatic Invasive Species
(NCRAIS) in July 2003. The Center is administratively housed at the Great Lakes
Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The major pathways by which aquatic invasive species (AIS) reach U.S. ecosystems all involve human activities, especially commerce and trade. Costs to the U.S. economy of AIS are estimated at 100s of millions of dollars per year and are mounting. Solutions to problems related to AIS will undoubtedly affect both the costs and policies related to commerce and trade. Congress (Public Law 101-636 as amended through October 1996) and the White House (Executive Order 13112, February 1999) identified aquatic species invasions as a national problem requiring federal action.
NOAA is a science-based agency under the Department of Commerce whose mission it is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment and conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet our Nation's economic, social, and environmental needs. The Department of Commerce is one of several federal agencies given joint responsibility for developing and implementing a national invasive species response and action plan. NOAA carries out the Department's responsibilities by serving as Co-chair of both the national Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force (http://www.anstaskforce.gov/default.php) and the National Invasive Species Council (http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/council/main.shtml). Therefore, it is appropriate and essential for NOAA to assure the effectiveness, and maximize the value, of its research investment in this issue. Coordination and advocacy for research within NOAA, as well as across agencies, and partnering with the academic and private sector are essential to achieving this goal.
Novirhabdovirus sp - Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) Factsheet