Unit VIII Major Elements of an IAS Pre vention Strategy

1. Unit VIIIMajor Elements of an IAS Prevention Strategy

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. http://edcintl.cr.usgs.gov/images/lakevicmap.jpg

6. Nile Perch in Lake Victoria East Africa

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

8. 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

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

11. Third Step… • Identify the IAS that threaten aforementioned resources

12. 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?)

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. Recommended Framework for an EDRR System

17. 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

18. Current Public Awareness Program Outcomes • Preaching to the Choir

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

22. Major Concepts in Unit VIII • 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.