Invasive Species

Summary of Wisconsin’s Comprehensive Management Plan
To Prevent Further Introductions and Control Existing Populations of Aquatic Invasive Species 2003

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) have long been recognized as a serious problem in Wisconsin. The Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin- Sea Grant program and the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, has prepared a plan to coordinate responses to the problems associated with aquatic invasive species. This plan is one component of a comprehensive state effort to control invasive species that involves all affected state agencies and tribal governments working together to prevent the further introductions of invasive species (both aquatic and terrestrial) into Wisconsin’s ecosystems. This plan focuses on prevention as the key strategy for limiting the impacts of aquatic invasive species by controlling the initial introduction and subsequent transfer from one water body to another. Prevention strategies rely heavily on information, education and communication. Therefore, this plan includes the full range of those activities needed to implement as effective prevention program.

However, prevention techniques alone are inadequate for limiting the negative impacts caused by aquatic invasive exotics. This plan also suggests that control, mitigation or elimination strategies must be considered. It incorporates information and education/outreach activities, watercraft inspection efforts and policy and legislative initiatives as key components of the overall program.

The goals of Wisconsin’s Comprehensive Management Plan are designed to address different stages of the AIS invasion:

The initial introductions of aquatic invasive species into Wisconsin waters from other parts of the continent or world;
The spread of AIS populations to previously unaffected state waters; and
The colonization of self-sustaining AIS populations within water bodies, including the harmful impacts resulting from such colonization.

Goal 1:

Implement procedures and practices to prevent new introductions of aquatic invasive species into Lakes Michigan and Superior, Wisconsin’s boundary waters (the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers) and the inland waters of the state.

Because of the limited experience with most AIS, the long-term consequences of their impacts are not yet known. With a more robust global economy, it is anticipated that without a new prevention program, new introductions are highly likely. For that reason, prevention actions, at the national and regional level, as well as at the individual jurisdictional level, are critical. The highest prevention priority is the control of ballast water discharges. For information on the control of ballast water discharges see Port of Milwaukee Off-Ship Ballast Water Treatment Feasibility Study Report, Phase 2.

There are several other potential transport mechanisms that could result in releases of AIS into the Great Lakes and inland state waters. Some of these vectors are: the transportation and rearing systems related to the aquaculture industry, commercial barge traffic, and recreational boating; inter-Great Lake boating associated with research or management activities; SCUBA diving; the sale and distribution of fishing bait; the transfer and disposal of nonindigenous pets; plant nurseries; fish stocking activities and individual releases by anglers.

Three of the potential AIS transport mechanisms have been selected for specific actions; the sale and distribution of bait, aquaculture and aquarium industries and ballast water discharges.

Specific actions related to this goal are: work with the bait industry, agriculture, and aquarium industries and transoceanic shipping to collect information about vectors and AIS transport mechanisms in general and evaluate new technologies or management practices for effective control of AIS.

Goal 2:
Establish management strategies to limit the spread of established populations of aquatic invasive species into infested waters of the state.

The introduction of AIS into the Great Lakes has resulted in the spread of aquatic invasive species to inland waters. The spread of established populations of AIS is primarily caused by human activities such as transfer of boats, bait handling and water transport. Water resource user groups are frequently not aware of which waters are infested with AIS, the problems associated with them and the precautions they should take to limit their spread.

Specific actions related to this goal are; determine which species pose the greatest problems, determine the level of monitoring needed to document AIS distribution, access the sampling and monitoring programs for priority invasive species; implement education and outreach programs to increase public awareness and improve coordination efforts on AIS by encouraging cooperation with partner organizations, agencies and volunteers.

Goal 3:
Abate harmful ecological, economic, social and public health impacts resulting from infestation of aquatic invasive species and, where possible, eliminate those impacts.

Appropriate strategies to control AIS and abate their impacts may not be technically, economically or environmentally feasible. Control strategies must always be designed so as not to cause significant environmental impacts.

Specific actions related to this goal are; assess the public health, social, economic and ecological impacts of AIS to Wisconsin waters, determine what control actions are appropriate to limit impacts, which are cost-effective approaches and long-term solutions and evaluate the effectiveness of the control strategies after they have been in place.

This plan provides the generalized approaches that must be followed to protect indigenous species and the socio-economic benefits that are threatened by aquatic invasive species. It is likely that management plans for individual species, such as zebra mussels and Eurasian water-milfoil, will be developed as a result of this plan.

For detailed information about this plan visit the complete Comprehensive State Management Plan [PDF 1.4MB]

Last Revised: Tuesday October 14 2008

Summary of Wisconsin’s Comprehensive Management Plan To Prevent Further Introductions and Control Existing Populations of Aquatic Invasive Species 2003

Summary of Wisconsin’s Comprehensive Management Plan
To Prevent Further Introductions and Control Existing Populations of Aquatic Invasive Species 2003