The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is joining the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality and the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in a collaborative effort to monitor and control the spread of aquatic nuisance species in North Carolina inland and coastal waters.
A year in development, the ANSMP lays the groundwork for a coordinated effort among state and federal agencies, local governments, and others to fight plant and animal organisms that have been introduced to the state’s waters and are causing ecologic and/or economic harm, as well as to prevent new introductions.
A standing staff committee will be appointed to implement the ANSMP. The ANSMP is non-regulatory, but it identifies potential gaps in rules and policies that need attention.
ANSMP Recommendations include:
Developing a “rapid response” strategy for newly identified ANS occurrences.
Coordinating data collection on current and potential threats.
Establishing systematic reporting mechanisms and monitoring protocols.
Researching the economic implications of ANS introductions and proliferation.
Leveraging funding to implement the ANSMP.
For more information, visit www.ncwildlife.org.
source: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission