Key Words: Ballast water, non-native species, introduced species
A three year study to investigate the transport of marine organisms in shipsí ballast water is being carried out on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by the School of Ocean Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor. The aim of the project is to determine the type and number of viable organisms transported in segregated ballast water and sediments from ships coming into England and Wales from foreign sources. The project is closely related to a research programme carried out by the Aberdeen Marine Laboratory for Scottish ports and the results from both projects will be collated in a common database. A number of ports in England and Wales have been visited to sample different types of vessels ranging in size from small coasters to large oil tankers. To date, 101 samples have been collected, with the origin of the majority of the ballast water being Northern Europe. The samples were taken using pumps, hoses and plankton nets, preferably via opened deck hatches but also from sounding pipes and overflowing air pipes. The water and net samples were examined for phytoplankton and zooplankton and the sediment for dinoflagellate cysts.
All but one of the water samples contained motile phytoplankton. Both fresh water and marine species were found. Diatoms were the most common group present. There was some evidence of a seasonal pattern reflecting temperate spring and autumn blooms. Cell numbers varied from just over 1,000 cells per litre to 5 x 106 cells per litre. Some toxic and/or nuisance species were found e.g. Pseudonitzschia multiseries, Dinophysis sp., Dictyocha sp, Ceratium sp., and Phaeocystis sp. Although these species are native to British ballast water these results demonstrate that ballast water is one vector by which nuisance species can be moved to areas where they may not have previously caused a problem.
Dinoflagellate cysts have been recorded in 80% of the sediment samples. A total of 22 species representing 11 genera have been identified, the cysts of Protoperidinium and Scrippsiella species being the most common. Scrippsiella hangoei and Gymnodinium catenatum, two species not previously recorded in British waters have been identified as have some potentially toxic species, of which Alexandrium tamarense/catanella was the most common.
Analysis of the zooplankton samples is underway and, as identification of the preserved samples is often difficult, live samples are also collected whenever possible in order to grow larvae to aid identification. For example, a megalopa larvae of the non-native species Cancer irroratus was reared in the laboratory under ambient conditions thus demonstrating the potential for this species to survive in British waters.
The findings of the project so far demonstrate that non-native species are being transported into English and Welsh ports. There is therefore a potential risk of non-native species subsequently becoming established within British waters. There is evidence that this has happened in the past with thirty of the fifty non-native species in British waters thought to have been introduced via shipping.
Contact: Tracy McCollin
School of Ocean Sciences,
University of Wales, Bangor,
Menai Bridge,
Anglesey,
North Wales. LL59 5EY
T + 44 1248 382906
F + 44 1248 382906
Email t.a.mccollin@bangor.ac.uk
Key Words besides those in title: geographic range, grapsid crab, molting, New Jersey, reproduction, salinity tolerance
In the 1980's, the western Pacific grapsid crab, Hemigrapsus sanguineus, occupied an open niche in the middle to upper rocky intertidal along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States. Several aspects of its biology and ecology in Atlantic waters have been elucidated previously, and these are briefly reviewed. Recent studies showed that the crab's northern geographical range extends to the coast of New Hampshire. Additional information on the length of its reproductive season in New Jersey verified that reproduction ends in September. Large numbers of molted exoskeletons of H. sanguineus and Carcinus maenas, found along a beach adjacent to a rocky habitat in New Jersey, were collected and measured. The size frequency distribution of Hemigrapsus molts showed similarities to the living population among the rocks. Carcinus molts were approximately equal in number to those of Hemigrapsus. Laboratory observations showed that adults of H. sanguineus survive salinity reductions down to 10 ppt.
Author to Contact: John J. McDermott
Department of Biology
Franklin and Marshall College
Lancaster, PA 17604
T 717 291 4110
F 717 399 4548
Email: j_mcdermott@acad.fandm.edu
K.K. McElligott1 and Jonathon B. Geller2 1Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington, NC; and 2Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Moss Landing, CA
Key Words: biological invasions, Carcinus maenas,
phylogeography, mitochondrial DNA, population genetics
The European crab in the genus Carcinus has invaded five regions. Previous genetic analysis of the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA gene in Carcinus allowed identification of Mediterranean or the Atlantic sources for introduced populations. However, more genetic variation partitioned geographically in Europe is needed to track sources for the invasions in a more refined way. We examined sequence data from mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase b (cyt-b) gene among introduced and native populations of Carcinus. A 450 bp portion of cyt-b was amplified using PCR for 125 individuals from various native populations and 237 individuals from introduced populations in Japan, Australia, South Africa, California and New England. Cyt-b sequences were much more variable than16S rRNA sequences, with 191 haplotypes in our sample. Sequences were aligned and geographic structure was inferred from genetic distances among populations. Despite high variability of cyt-b, identification of source regions was confounded by strong genetic bottlenecks associated with colonization events for most introduced populations.
Author to Contact: Karen McElligott
Department of Biological Sciences
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
601 South College Rd.
Wilmington, NC 28403-3297
T 910-962-3358
F 910 350-4066
Email: mcelligottk@uncwil.edu
Key Words: NISA, ballast water, regulations, Coast
Guard, exotic species, nonindigenous species, aquatic nuisance species
In 1996 the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 was amended by the National Invasive Species Act of 1996 (NISA) to further address the spread of nonindigenous species. To implement NISA, the Coast Guard is developing regulations that will establish (1) a voluntary ballast water management program for all vessels entering U.S. waters from outside of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and (2) require the reporting of ballast water management data by all vessels entering U.S. waters from outside of the EEZ. A notice of proposed rulemaking was published in April 1998 and the Coast Guard is working towards issuing a rule in Spring 1999.
The Coast Guard, in cooperation with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, is developing a nationwide program to measure ballast water management and delivery patters for commercial vessels that arrive in U.S. ports from outside of our EEZ. This National Ballast Survey is designed explicitly to create a national database on ballast water practices. Coast Guard field personnel will be involved in the collection of data to verify the accuracy of data submitted under the new regulations.
The Coast Guard heads the U.S. delegation to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee where work is underway to draft a legally binding international ballast water management instrument. A key goal of the U.S. is that the instrument includes a flexible framework that will encourage the development of new, safer and more effective ballast water management technologies. vThe presentation will provide status reports on the proposed domestic regulations, Coast Guard ballast water survey and enforcement efforts, and international negotiations at IMO.
Contact: Mary Pat McKeown
Commandant (G-MSO-4)
U.S. Coast Guard
2100 Second Street, SW
Washington, DC 20593-0001
T 202-267-1354
F 202-267-4690
E-mail: mmckeown@comdt.uscg.mil
Contact: Mary Pat McKeown
Commandant (G-MSO-4)
U.S. Coast Guard
2100 Second Street, SW
Washington, DC 20593-0001
T 202-267-1354
F 202-267-4690
E-mail: mmckeown@comdt.uscg.mil
Key Words: National Ballast Survey, ballast water exchange, ballast water management
The National Invasive Species Act of 1996 (NISA)
directed the United States Coast Guard and the Smithsonian Environmental
Research Center (SERC) to create the National Ballast Water Information
Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse, located at SERC, plays a central
role in the organization and analysis of national data concerning
the transfer and invasion of nonindigenous species associated with
ballast water of ships. The Clearinghouse and U.S. Coast Guard are
now implementing a nationwide program, the National Ballast Survey
(NABS), to measure patterns of ballast water management (exchange)
and delivery for commercial vessels that arrive to U.S. ports from
outside of the nationís Exclusive Economic Zone. NABS is designed
explicitly to create a national database on ballast water
to (1) measure ballast water attributes according to vessel class
for geographic region and season of arrival, (2) measure among-year
changes in ballast water management by vessel class and geographic
region, and (3) assess accuracy of data through use of multiple,
independent data sources. The National Ballast Survey will result
in a comprehensive analysis and biennial report to the U.S. Congress
on the status of ballast water management and delivery throughout
the country. Although NABS will not include policy recommendations,
this analysis will be used in evaluation of compliance with NISA
guidelines for ballast water exchange and thereby contribute to
future national policies on ballast water.
Author to Contact: A. Whitman Miller
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
647 Contees Wharf Road, PO Box 28
Edgewater, MD 21037
Telephone 410 798-4424 x139
Fax 301 261-7954
Email: miller@serc.si.edu
THE 1998 PUGET SOUND EXPEDITION: A RAPID ASSESSMENT SURVEY FOR NONINDIGENOUS SPECIES IN THE SHALLOW WATERS OF PUGET SOUND
Words: Rapid Assessment, Puget Sound, invertebrates,
algae, Zostera, Spartina, Washington,
San Francisco Bay
A Rapid Assessment survey of 23 primary stations
and 8 secondary stations was conducted September 8-16,1998 in the
inland marine waters of Washington State from Blaine to Olympia.
The Expedition team was composed of scientists with both broad and
specific taxonomic expertise from several universities and local
agencies. It included core researchers from the four San Francisco
Bay Expeditions of 1993-1997, when the techniques used were pioneered;
findings from Puget Sound are compared with those from San Francisco
Bay. Using a variety of sampling methods at dock-fouling stations
and adjacent shallow water benthic habitats, the Puget Sound Expedition
team collected and identified 38 nonindigenous species (3 plants
and 35 invertebrates) -- further taxonomic work on the samples is
ongoing. The number of nonindigenous species collected per site
showed no obvious pattern with regard to salinity, temperature or
oceanographic basin. Four prior lists of nonindigenous marine species
in Puget Sound and adjacent waters have been produced. We have developed
an updated and corrected list of 52 nonindigenous marine and brackish
water species that appear to be present and established in Puget
Sound. The comparable species list for San Francisco Bay numbers
well over 200 species.
Author to contact: Claudia Mills
Friday Harbor Laboratories
620 University Road
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
T 360-378-4877
F 206-543-2173
Email: cmills@fhl.washington.edu
Key Words: ultraviolet light, UV, filtration, system scaling
Ballast water has been demonstrated to be the principal vector for unintentional introduction of non-native species (Carlton and Geller 1993). A number of treatment options, both physical and chemical, have been proposed and UV sterilization remains a viable and environmentally benign approach. Developments in UV technology using high powered sources in the germicidal region of the UV spectrum (developed to treat bacteria in metal working fluids) have enabled the efficient delivery of doses capable of inducing acute and latent phototoxicity in a wide variety of organisms. In this investigation we evaluate the efficacy of high intensity UV irradiation (at >100 of mwatt/cm2) in controlling planktonic organisms likely to be entrained in ballast water. These include larval and adult crustaceans, larval bivalve mollusks, larval fish and microalgae. Since this technology will likely be combined with some physical filtration for shipboard installations, the relationship between organism size and effective UV dose becomes an important consideration. Here, we present preliminary data on size/dose relationships obtained from an experimental flow cell. These data are used to generate a figure of merit for scaling full-scale UV treatment systems.
References
J.L. Carlton and J. B. Geller, Science, 261:78-82
(1993).
Author to Contact: John Coogan
Triton Thalassic Technologies, Inc. 241 Ethan Allen Hwy. Ridgefield,
CT 06877
T: 203-438-0633
Email: jcoogan@worldnet.att.net
Key Words: invasive, nuisance, exotic, barrier, control
The NISA Act of 1996 authorized the Corps of Engineers to carry out a demonstration study of an aquatic nuisance species dispersal barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. This location is of great interest as the century old, man-made canal is the only aquatic link between the Mississippi River and Great Lakes drainages and forms a two-way avenue for invasive species dispersal. Today the canal is used by commercial navigation for transportation of freight via barges between Lake Michigan and the Illinois Waterway, which links with the Mississippi River and to carry wastewater away from Lake Michigan, Chicagoís drinking water supply. Though frequented by recreational vessels, the canal is not used for water skiing or swimming.
To identify likely dispersal barrier methodologies the Chicago District Corps assembled a Dispersal Barrier Advisory Panel comprised of 26 federal, state, academic, regional, municipal, commercial and environmental member entities. Recognizing that 100 percent control was unrealistic, the Panel members agreed that the objective of the barrier should be to reduce, to the extent possible, the dispersal of invasive species. No migratory species traverse this man-made canal however the barrier is expected to affect the passage of native as well as invasive species. Due to the commercial uses of the canal and its importance to Chicagoís drinking water, closure of the canal or installation of physical barriers were not considered practical.
Ownership and interests along the canal are complex and early and ongoing involvement of the Advisory Panel members has been key to the progress of the project thus far. For example, though the Corps maintains the canal, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, a municipal agency, owns it and the adjacent lands. The lands are leased to marine-based commercial users and the County Forest Preserve.
The project has three phases. Phase I will target bottom dwelling species, particularly the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus). Phase II will target actively swimming organisms in the entire water column. Finally, Phase III will address planktonic organisms.
Construction of Phase I, which will consist of an
electric barrier array, is expected to begin in Spring 1999. Laboratory
and small-scale field trials currently in progress will help identify
ideal field intensities and potential effect on native species.
Monitoring of the project will help determine its success and effectiveness.
Development of Phase II is already underway; implementation of the
full water column electric barrier depends in part, upon safety
and liability concerns. Other methodologies under consideration
or development include infrasound, bubble screens and water jets.
Though considered effective, at this time, chemical control was
recommended for use only as a stopgap or emergency measure.
Author to Contact: Philip B. Moy
Chicago District
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
111 N. Canal Street
Chicago, IL 60606-7206
P: (312) 353-6400 ext. 2021
F: (312) 886-2891
Email: Philip.B.Moy@usace.army.mil
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