AN INITIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF NONINDIGENOUS AQUATIC SPECIES IN
THE GULF OF MEXICO REGION
William D. Holland, Environmental Protection Agency, Stennis Space Center, MS
The Gulf of Mexico Program (GMP) Management Committee serves as the Gulf of Mexico
Regional Panel to the national Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force (ANSTF). In addition, the
GMP Nonindigenous Species Focus Team has committed to assisting each of the five Gulf States
in developing and implementing a prevention, management, education, and monitoring plan to minimize introductions and impacts of nonindigenous species. To begin fulfilling these
responsibilities in a coordinated manner, the GMP has developed the report An Initial
Characterization of Nonindigenous Aquatic Species in the Gulf of Mexico Region.
This report:
- Compiles background and technical information needed to generate the Gulf of Mexico Regional Panel's first Annual Report to the ANSTF;
- Begins compiling information that will assist each Gulf State in developing their
nonindigenous species management plan(s);
- Generates a regional information and coordination resource for nonindigenous aquatic
species management and research activities, targeting the GMP’s broad group of stakeholders.
The need to address the adverse consequences of nonindigenous species was officially
recognized almost a century ago: the first legislation aimed at controlling unwanted introductions
was the Lacey Act, passed in 1900. However, some researchers feel that current federal laws
address only specific incidents and provide a remedy for only a small fraction of the
nonindigenous species problems (Williams and Meffe 1999). Even though southern Florida has
been subject to relatively intense management for at least a decade, nonindigenous species are
currently invading every major ecosystem and converting large areas of natural ecosystems into
new ecosystem types dominated by nonindigenous species (Cox 1999). Universally it is
recognized that the prevention of new nonindigenous species introductions, and the immediate
eradication of new colonies of invasive species, are the most effective methods to control
nonindigenous species.
This report is current as of its completion date. However, due to the highly dynamic nature of
bioinvasions, new species introductions and management responses will continue to occur over
time. The GMP intends this report to be a "living document," to be expanded and updated at
intervals determined by the Gulf of Mexico Regional Panel.
This first iteration of An Initial Characterization of Nonindigenous Aquatic Species in the Gulf of Mexico Region focuses only on the U.S. portion of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem. The
study area for this report includes the area within the political boundaries of the five Gulf States
– Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas – and waters of the Gulf of Mexico to the
seaward boundary of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. However, it is anticipated that the
geographic scope of the study will be expanded to include the entire Gulf of Mexico ecosystem
in future iterations.