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The Enemy continued from page 1 <br />The current data suggests that the <br />amount of invasions by nuisance <br />species is accelerating parallel with the <br />growth of global trade. In the San <br />Francisco Bay area, for instance, the <br />occurrence of aquatic nuisance species <br />has climbed from one new species <br />every 36 weeks since the 1$50s, to one <br />every 24 weeks since the 1970s, to as <br />many as one every 12 weeks in the <br />past decade. On any given day, some <br />3,000 aquatic species are moving <br />around the globe in the ballast tanks of <br />ships, according to data from National <br />Oceanic and Atmospheric <br />Administration. <br />Although ballast water is a <br />common vector for aquatic nuisance <br />species introductions, there are many <br />more ways a species can be released, <br />intentionally or unintentionally, into <br />another habitat. Among these are: <br />release of aquaria flora or fish; <br />transported attached to boats or other <br />water recreation machines; ornamental <br />or landscape practices; bait handling; <br />and water transport. <br />Once nuisance species are <br />introduced, their populations often <br />explode, significantly harming the <br />environment or human health. An <br />established population of nuisance <br />species may damage and even cause <br />extinction of native species by <br />competing with them for food, space, <br />and other resources. Nuisance species <br />can endanger human health by <br />introducing parasites and pathogens. <br />Society also pays a big price for <br />allowing nuisance species in our <br />borders and waterways. Estimates of <br />economic losses for aquatic nuisance <br />species, not including damage to <br />native species or to ecological services, <br />range up to $123 billion per year in the <br />United States, according to the <br />Department of Interior. <br />Once established, most nuisance <br />species are impossible to eliminate. <br />Therefore, preventing unwanted <br />introductions is the best method for <br />halting the invaders. <br />Here are steps everyone can take <br />to control aquatic nuisance species: <br />• Before you leave the water, inspect <br />your boat and equipment. Remove <br />any plants, fish, or other living <br />things. Drain water from the <br />motor, livewell, bilge, or transom <br />well. <br />• Never release or transport live <br />aquatic species from one water <br />body into another. <br />• Use native plants in your <br />landscape. <br />...w.:,. <br />rte'' }~~~.~ :. <br />---~. <br />-+.c: ~~ <br />-~~ <br />_~ <br />Eurasian watermilfoil spreads quickly and harms lake ecosystems. <br />~{CE MitlllE~OCIlCa David Giltette <br /> <br />. r. <br />AlT,LAURA.EFORf E GO <br />HOME E SHOULa PR08ABLY <br />CHECK PRICE FOR EXOT! C5 . <br /> <br /> <br />• Learn how to identify aquatic <br />nuisance species threatening your <br />area and how to prevent them <br />from invading. <br />Visit:. www.freshwater.org or <br />www anstaskforce.gov for more <br />information on aquatic nuisance species. <br />wunuminnetonkacomia.[om <br />FACETS Summer 2003 <br />