Aquatic Alien Invasive Species

Develop Measures to Ensure Compliance

The Great Lakes have a long history of effective, cooperative work between United States and Canadian agencies. The Joint Marine Contingency Plan provides an excellent framework for binational response to spills of oil and hazardous chemicals. However, coordinated efforts to deal with aquatic alien invasive species face a tremendous challenge due to the issue’s large scope and institutional complexity.

The governments’ response to addressing aquatic alien invasive species has been complicated by factors such as the global nature of the shipping industry, and further compounded by the large number of federal, state and provincial agencies that must be involved: fish and wildlife; transportation; agriculture; pest management; forestry; food; and public health. These agencies all have missions and jurisdictions relating to a particular pathway or aspect of the invasive species problem. In addition, several tribal and nongovernmental organizations throughout the region are responding to this threat.

Future advances in source-tracking technologies, such as DNA fingerprinting should enable regulating agencies to evaluate ballast water discharges for the presence of aquatic alien invasive species. Ideally this technology could establish financial liability for damages arising from biological pollution. The day may come when the introduction of harmful aquatic alien invasive species and the resulting liabilities for damages will determine the cost or availability of marine insurance policies. Shipping companies’ and their insurers’ desire to eliminate potential liability, combined with penalties established by regulation, could then become a powerful incentive for compliance with discharge standards.