51 



the introduced shrimp virus, IHHNV, was responsible for major ag- 

 ricultural losses. 



The problem of zebra mussel infestation, as has been referred to, 

 galvanized demand for Federal legislation. A number of Federal 

 agencies have provided funding for research on methods to control 

 zebra mussels. To prevent further ballast water introductions into 

 the Great Lakes, the Act mandated that the Coast Guard issue reg- 

 ulations on management of ballast water in the region. Those regu- 

 lations became effective on May 10, 1993. 



As part of the National Ballast Water Control Program, the task 

 force is mandated to conduct ballast water exchange, biological, 

 and shipping studies. Through joint cooperation, the task force has 

 initiated the ballast exchange study, which will assess the environ- 

 mental effects of ballast water and identify areas, if any, where 

 such exchange does not pose a threat. This project was initiated 

 through a grant from EPA's Office of Research and Development 

 and will be conducted by and administered through NOAA's Great 

 Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory. Additional fiinds from 

 NOAA and the Fish and Wildlife Service will allow completion of 

 the study by June 1995. 



Dr. Davison has already referred to the biological and shipping 

 studies and I won't repeat that testimony here. In addition, I want 

 to discuss briefly the Aquatic Nuisance Species Program which was 

 required under the Act. The program will be sent to Congress after 

 administration clearance and is trying to build on the efforts of 

 Federal agencies, States, tribes, local governments and non-govern- 

 mental activities so we have a comprehensive approach to this 

 problem. 



We also have the task force's Risk Assessment and Management 

 Committee developing a pathway identification risk assessment 

 process to prevent unintentional introductions of non-indigenous 

 species. The committee is currently modifying a process developed 

 by the Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health In- 

 spection Service for evaluating non-indigenous plant pests to de- 

 velop the risk assessment portion of this element. 



A species-specific control process is outlined in the program. The 

 task force has already implemented this process in the case of the 

 unintentional introduction of the ruffe, which has been mentioned 

 previously. In addition, the National Marine Fisheries Service mon- 

 itors the presence of pathogens in imported seafood through a 

 memorandum of understanding with the Food and Drug Adminis- 

 tration. NMFS has also provided technical advice to the State of 

 Hawaii and serves on the Hawaii State panel that reviews pro- 

 posed introductions of aquatic species. NMFS is also fulfilling an 

 integral role in coordinating the Congressionally mandated inten- 

 tional introduction review which is currently being reviewed by the 

 task force. 



In addition, NOAA's National Sea Grant College Program admin- 

 isters aquatic nuisance species research grants. The Sea Grant 

 zebra mussel program is concentrating on the effects of zebra mus- 

 sels on infrastructure and the environment and on the development 

 and evaluation of potential control methods. The Great Lakes Envi- 

 ronmental Research Laboratory has set up a non-indigenous spe- 

 cies coordinated research program. Under this program, research- 



