105 



ph5rtoplankton, and there is concern that phytoplankton levels are so reduced that 

 the prey base for native fish species has been adversely affected. Although a cause- 

 and-effect relationship has not been established, there has been a marked reduction 

 in fisheries production since comb jellies were initially introduced. 



Australia is extremely concerned that the toxic dinoflagellates responsible for red 

 tide blooms in the United States may be introduced in ballast water. The introduc- 

 tion of a viral disease with hatchery salmon from the United States has had an ad- 

 verse impact on the native masou salmon in Japan. 



As indicated earlier, the problem of zebra mussel infestation galvanized demand 

 for Federal legislation. Under the Act, a number of Federal agencies have provided 

 funding for research on methods to control zebra i^iussels. To prevent further ballast 

 water mtroductions into the Great Lakes, the Act mandated that the Coast Guard 

 issue regulations on the management of ballast water in the Great Lakes. Those 

 regulations became effective on May 10, 1993. As part of the National Ballast Water 

 Control Program (Section 1102 of the Act), the Task Force is mandated to conduct 

 Ballast Water Exchange, Biological and Shipping Studies. 



The Ballast Exchange Study has been initiated and will assess the environmental 

 effects of ballast water exchange and identify areas, if any, where exchange does not 

 pose a threat. The project has been initiated through a grant from EPAs Office of 

 Research and Development and will be conducted at and administered through 

 NCAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory. Additional funds from 

 NOAA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will allow completion of the study by 

 June 1995. The study will assess the environmental impacts of the release of salt 

 water in the Great Lakes and other freshwater ports and the survival potential of 

 open ocean organisms in coastal zones. It also will identify areas where ballast 

 water may be discharged safely. 



The Biological Study mandated by the Act is currently being conducted to deter- 

 mine whether non-indigenous species threaten the ecological characteristics and eco- 

 nomic uses of U.S. waters other than the Great Lakes. The study was initiated with 

 FWS funds and is currently proceeding on a case study basis. Additional funds from 

 NOAA and EPA will be used to complete the case studies. A study on the environ- 

 mental impacts of non-indigenous aquatic species in Florida, begun in July 1993 by 

 FWS, will be completed this year. A similar study on the fresh, brackish, and ma- 

 rine waters of the San Francisco Bay-Delta region began in September 1993 and 

 will be completed this year. A case study of the Chesapeake Bay is currently being 

 developed. 



The Shipping Study was conducted by the Coast Guard to determine the need for 

 controls on vessels entering U.S. waters to prevent the introduction and establish- 

 ment of aquatic nuisance species. The study has been completed and will be trans- 

 mitted to the Congress after Administration clearance.' 



Although a significant portion of our effort has been directed toward zebra mus- 

 sels and Ijallast water in the Great Lakes, the Task Force has taken steps to ad- 

 dress the issue of non-indigenous species introductions in other areas. As I indicated 

 earlier, NOAA sponsored a workshop on Non-indigenous Estuarine and Marine Or- 

 ganisms last April. Since that meeting, interest has been expressed in holding a sec- 

 ond workshop exclusively devoted to ballast water issues. We have approached the 

 Government of Australia, which has been involved extensively in this field for a 

 number of years, regarding dual sponsorship of such a workshop. 



The central component of the Act is development of a comprehensive Aquatic Nui- 

 sance Species Program. The proposed program has undergone public review and re- 

 vision and will be sent to the Congress after administration clearance. The Program 

 will build on existing non-indigenous activities and involve Federal agencies. States, 

 Tribes, local governments, and non-governmental entities. The Program consists of 

 the following elements: prevention, monitoring and detection, control, research, tech- 

 nical assistance, education, and the Zebra Mussel Demonstration Program. 



The Task Force's Risk Identification and Management Committee is developing a 

 pathway identification risk assessment process to prevent unintentional introduc- 

 tions of non-indigenous species. The committee has met and is modifying a process 

 developed by the Department of Agriculture' s Animal and Plant Health Inspection 

 Service for evaluating non-indigenous plant pests to develop the risk assessment 

 portion of this element. i • i j u u 



Detection and monitoring of non-indigenous species will be accomplished through 

 coordination of existing activities and field studies by the Monitoring Committee 

 and through a data repository and information management system currently oper- 

 ating at the National Biological Survey's Fisheries Research Center in Gainesville, 



Florida. • u n 



A control risk assessment and management process outUned in the Program will 

 address control of aquatic nuisance species. The Task Force has already imple- 



