In simple terms, Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) are aquatic and terrestrial organisms, introduced into new habitats throughout the United States and other areas of the world, that produce harmful impacts on aquatic natural resources in these ecosystems and on the human use of these resources.

The Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to preventing and controlling aquatic nuisance species, and implementing the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act (NANPCA) of 1990. The various NANPCA mandates were expanded later with the passage of the National Invasive Species Act (NISA) in 1996. The ANSTask Force consists of 13 Federal agency representatives and 12 Ex-officio members, and is co-chaired by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The ANS Task force coordinates governmental efforts dealing with ANS in the U.S. with those of the private sector and other North American interests via regional panels and issue specific committees and work group.

Westward Spread of Quagga and Zebra Mussels

Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Strategic Plan (2013-2017)

Japanese Tsunami Debris The Threat of Invasive Species We need your help Click here for more information

Highlighted Regional Products:

Pennslyvania's Field Guide to Aquatic Invasive Species
The purpose of this guide is to help slow or stop the spread of invasive species in Pennsylvania. Therefore, in addition to identification, it includes sections on prevention, reporting, and collecting specimens. Pennsylvania's Field Guide to Aquatic Invasive Species

Northeast Aquatic Nuisance Species Panel: Online Guide to Aquatic Invasive Species in Northeastern North America
The NEANS Online Guide provides information about invasive species that threaten northeastern North America and allows you and your organization to create customized field guides. Browse the site and learn about a wide variety of marine and freshwater invasive species and how to identify them. Then head to the water with your customized field guide and help stem the tide of invasive species by participating in spread prevention and early detection efforts to detect and prevent new invasions.
Online Guide to Aquatic Invasive Species in Northeastern North America.

Western Regional Panel: Quagga/Zebra Mussel Action Plan
The goal of the QZAP is to summarize current strategies to address the invasion of zebra and quagga mussels in the West, and to identify and prioritize the specific actions that are needed to comprehensively prevent the further spread of these mussels, respond to new infestations, and manage existing infestations.

• Quagga/Zebra Mussel Action Plan (956KB PDF)
• Transmittal Letter (45KB PDF)

Have you seen anything unusual? If so, we want to hear from you! An online sighting report tool, managed by the U.S. Geologic Survey in Gainesville, Florida, is available via the internet 24 hours a day. The Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) Database and its associated Alert System have been designed to track the spread of invasive species nationwide, allowing users to report sightings, automatically receive email alerts, and perform searches on aquatic invasive species.

• • To Report AIS Sightings - Visit the USGS Online Sighting Report Tool where a web-form allows users to submit biologic, geographic, and simple contact information as well as voucher photos. Upon submission, information is sent via email to USGS NAS staff experts for verification.
  
  
• • To Sign Up for the Alert System - Visit the Alert System Registration Page to sign up for “State Watches”, “Taxonomic Group Watches” and/or specific “Species Watches”.