Aquatic Invasive Species The Services Fisheries Program provides leadership in preventing, eradicating, and controlling invasive species through its Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) coordinators. The Southwest Aquatic Invasive Species program is based in the regional office under the Assistant Regional Director for Fish and Aquatic Conservation. Lead by and Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator, the program is augmented by fisheries biologists at all of the southwest field stations who share the common goal of protecting our native aquatic resources from invasive species that threaten native species and inhibit recreational opportunities. The Southwest Aquatic Invasive Species program coordinates closely with similar programs in all other U.S. Fish and Wildlife regions and with our headquarters near Washington, D.C. The Southwest Aquatic Invasive Species program provides biosecurity for resources needed for fish and other aquatic wildlife. Invasive species in the Southwest are potentially damaging to the environment, businesses, and recreation. These include giant salvinia, New Zealand mudsnail, zebra mussel, and brown tree snake. Aquatic invasive species are “nonnative species whose introduction into an aquatic ecosystem causes or is likely to cause harm to the economy, environment, or human health or safety” (President Clinton’s Executive Order 13112). Our goal is conservation through cooperative actions with partner agencies and organizations at all jurisdictional levels by leveraging resources, sharing responsibilities, and coordination and implementation of management plans. The program focuses on three primary areas: prevention, control, and outreach.
Key Initiatives
Activity Highlights
Southwest Region AIS Coordinator David K. Britton |
Outdoor Education Social Media |