Unit VIII Major Elements of an IAS Prevention Strategy

Every Country in the World is Unique First Step in Developing an IAS Strategy  Educate legislators and policy makers about IAS Humans are the common denominator All countries should adopt the IAS precautionary principle

Precautionary Principle Better to be safe than sorry  Do not wait for absolute proof  It is socially unacceptable to do things that impact the rights of others

Second Step…  Develop a clear picture of what needs to be protected Cultural (8.1) Natural (8.12) Managed Resources (8.2)

Nile Perch in Lake Victoria East Africa

At Least three countries directly affected  Cultural  Economics (Fishermen)  Natural (Devastation of native fish)

IAS lag phase phenomenon By 1980, the total number of native fish species had declined by 50% or more The biomass composition of the lake had totally changed

Managed Resources Must Be Protected (8.2) Agricultural Production Systems Roads Railways Canals Reservoirs Urban Centers

Third Step…  Identify the IAS that threaten aforementioned resources

Four Basic Elements of an IAS Prevention Strategy (8.3) 1. Prevent movement of IAS to begin with  Identify imported commodities that pose a documented risk Require that commodities be certified as pest free as a condition of entry Reality Check (How thorough/strict is an inspection?)

Second Element of an IAS Prevention Strategy (8.4) Inspect high risk commodities at the port of export  Safer  Much more effective (decreases the ineffectiveness of a tailgate inspection) Identify commodities that pose a documented risk Establish a quarantine inspection system to pre- clear designated commodities

Third Element of an IAS Prevention Strategy (8.5) Inspect high risk cargo at the port of entry  Make a positive example of port inspectors with an excellent interception record

Fourth Element of an IAS Prevention Strategy (8.6) Early Detection and Rapid Response  Form independent EDRR systems for all types of IAS  Don’t just think large scale

Infrastructural ElementsActivity or ProcessLevel National Interagency Weed Committee - Interagency Coordination; - System Development and Coordination; - Rapid Assessment (Weeds of National Significance); - Funding National Level Invasive Plant Atlas (Online Weed Information Database) - Receive and Manage New Weed Records - Provide Information on Weed Biology, Distribution, Control; - EDRR Network Training National or Regional Levels State/Provincial Interagency Weed Committee - Interagency Coordination; - EDRR Network Development and Training; - Rapid Assessment (Weeds of State or Provincial Significance); - Outreach, Education State/Provincial Level EDRR Network – Trained Volunteers; Agency or Contract Surveyors - Survey, Detection, and ReportingLocal Level Cooperative Weed Management Area; Weed Eradication Task Force (Interagency Committee of Impacted and Potential Stakeholders) - Rapid Response - On the Ground Control and Eradication of Incipient Infestations - Outreach Local Level Recommended Framework for an EDRR System

Coordinated Framework of Interagency Partnerships (8.7) Establish national or regional invasive species councils Establish an invasive species atlas Establish local invasive species councils Establish Cooperative IAS management areas

Current Public Awareness Program Outcomes Preaching to the Choir

Public Awareness and Outreach (8.8) Concerted segmentation projects Directed marketing/Education efforts Understanding and reaching all land managers

Major Concepts in Unit VIII 1.Major elements of a National IAS Prevention Strategy: Production of Pest Free Commodities Pre-clearance at Ports of Export Port of Entry Cargo Inspection and Mitigation A National Early Detection and Rapid Response System for IAS, A Coordinated Outreach Campaign to Increase Public Understanding of the IAS Problem A Biological Protection Ethic on the Use and Spread of Exotic Species 2.Four steps in development of an effective national IAS strategy: Development of a clear picture of what needs to be protected from IAS – a country’s cultural, natural, and managed resources. Education of public officials, as well as special interest groups that have a personal or financial interest in protecting natural, managed, and cultural resources at risk from introduced IAS. It is also important to educate public officials, policy makers, and legislators about IAS. Identification of IAS that pose a threat to the country. Development and funding of programs to minimize IAS introduction and spread. 3.It is better to be safe than sorry. Countries should adopt the precautionary principle in addressing IAS.