C.3. A GUIDE FOR FUTURE ACTION BY THE GULF OF MEXICO REGIONAL 
PANEL AND THE GULF STATES 
C.3.1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE GULF OF MEXICO’S PLAN 
The Gulf of Mexico’s 2003 Guide for Future Action examines the structure and activities 
of the Gulf of Mexico Regional Panel (GMRP) and was developed by the Sea Grant Law Center 
(available at http://www.olemiss.edu/orgs/SGLC/ANS.pdf ). The Guide summarizes current 
aquatic nuisance species (ANS) actions and offers recommendations for ANS management for 
the individual Gulf States. It should be noted that the Regional Panel did not develop the Guide 
and does not use the Guide as guidance. Actions are divided into the categories of coordination, 
prevention, regulation, control and management, and enforcement and implementation. The 
Guide outlines recommended actions for each state to better address ANS threats and for the 
GMRP to better support interstate cooperation and the development and implementation of 
regional priorities. 
C.3.2. CLIMATE CHANGE AND INVASIVE SPECIES IN THE GULF OF MEXICO 
Climate change projections for the Southeastern United States, including some Gulf of 
Mexico states, vary; although most climate models project warming temperatures (Meams et al., 
2003; NAST, 2001). Climate change models also project a 10 to 25% increase in precipitation 
(Burkett et al., 2001; Mulholland et al., 1997). Increased temperatures will likely increase stress 
on water quality. Waterbodies in the Southeast already receive pollution from agriculture, urban 
areas, and mining. Increased precipitation and more frequent, extreme precipitation events will 
flush more contaminated run-off into waterbodies, and higher temperatures will reduce dissolved 
oxygen levels in water (Gibson et al., 2005; Jacobs et al., 2001). 
Increased precipitation will also likely lead to higher freshwater inflows into estuaries 
and lower salinity, although sea level rise could increase salinity levels (Mulholland et al., 1997). 
The region’s salt marshes will be particularly affected by sea level rise and other climate change 
factors, leading to changes in salinity and nutrient availability (Burkett and Kusler, 2000). These 
ecosystem changes could provide more suitable conditions for ANS establishment and spread. 
C.3.3. THE GULF OF MEXICO PLAN’S CURRENT INTEGRATION OF CLIMATE 
CHANGE 
Table C-2 summarizes how Gulf of Mexico’s Guide for Future Action addresses and 
incorporates the projected effects of climate change. The recommendations in the Guide are 
state-specific and generally focused on increasing state agency jurisdiction and resources, as 
opposed to specific management tasks. The Guide does not explicitly address climate change, 
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