Arkansas Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan

266 Pages·2013·5.86 MB·English

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Arkansas Aquatic Nuisance Species
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Management Plan
May 14, 2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS ....................................................................................................................... 2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................... 4
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 7
The Natural Setting ..................................................................................................................... 7
The Biodiversity.......................................................................................................................... 9
The Human Element ................................................................................................................... 9
The Threat of Aquatic Nuisance Species .................................................................................. 11
The Development of a Plan ....................................................................................................... 12
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION ................................................................................... 14
Private Aquaculture in Arkansas .............................................................................................. 14
Management and Control of Aquaculture Species in Arkansas ............................................... 14
History of Asian Carp in Commerce ........................................................................................ 15
Native or Long-Established Non-Native Aquatic Nuisance Species ........................................ 16
PATHWAYS .................................................................................................................................... 17
ANS Transported Unintentionally ............................................................................................ 17
Deliberate, Unlawful Introductions .......................................................................................... 22
Introduction through Natural Spread ........................................................................................ 25
GOAL ............................................................................................................................................. 25
OBJECTIVES AND PROPOSED STRATEGIES ...................................................................................... 25
OBJECTIVE 1 – Coordination: ................................................................................................ 25
OBJECTIVE 2 – Education: ..................................................................................................... 27
OBJECTIVE 3 – Rapid Response and Recovery: .................................................................... 28
OBJECTIVE 4 – Prevention: .................................................................................................... 28
OBJECTIVE 5 – Management and control of ANS: ................................................................ 29
OBJECTIVE 6 – Potential new ANS and pathways for introduction into Arkansas: .............. 31
PROGRAM MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT ....................................... 31
RAPID RESPONSE PLANS OF ACTION .............................................................................................. 31
Identification ............................................................................................................................. 32
Rapid Response and Recovery Team Formed and Activated ................................................... 33
Post-Treatment Inspection and Liabilities ................................................................................ 33
Long-Term Monitoring ............................................................................................................. 33
IMPLEMENTATION TABLE .............................................................................................................. 34
FOCAL SPECIES PROFILES .............................................................................................................. 45
Pathogens .................................................................................................................................. 52
Plants/Algae .............................................................................................................................. 65
Mollusks .................................................................................................................................... 92
Crustaceans ............................................................................................................................. 107
Insects ..................................................................................................................................... 115
Fish .......................................................................................................................................... 117
Birds ........................................................................................................................................ 138
Mammals................................................................................................................................. 142
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JURISDICTIONS ............................................................................................................................. 146
Federal Agencies ..................................................................................................................... 146
State Agencies ......................................................................................................................... 155
Affected Organizations (No Jurisdiction) ............................................................................... 160
National Programs .................................................................................................................. 160
State Programs ........................................................................................................................ 161
Jurisdiction Concerns and Issues ................................................................................................ 161
GLOSSARY ................................................................................................................................... 163
ACRONYMS USED ........................................................................................................................ 166
LITERATURE CITED ...................................................................................................................... 167
APPENDIX A: ARKANSAS A.N.S. PLAN TASK FORCE MEMBERS .................................................. 190
APPENDIX B: OFFICIAL STANDARDS FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF COMMERCIAL BAIT AND
ORNAMENTAL FISH IN ARKANSAS. ARKANSAS STATE PLANT BOARD ........................................ 191
Appendix C: Using the HACCP Approach for the Biosecurity of Your Farm .......................... 196
Appendix D: Circular 11, State Plant Board, Regulations on Plant Diseases and Pests ............ 205
Appendix E: Approved Species List- Aquaculture ..................................................................... 253
Appendix F: Example of Arkansas Outdoors Press Release ...................................................... 259

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Arkansas, “The Natural State,” has abundant aquatic resources in the form of rivers, streams,
lakes, reservoirs, springs, and groundwater. World-class fisheries for bass and trout attract
anglers from around the country for competitive tournaments as well as recreational fishing.
Arkansas is located entirely within the Mississippi River drainage and is home to important
aquatic habitats, such as some of the few remaining bottomland hardwood wetland areas in the
south. Due to the presence of six distinct eco-regions, the aquatic fauna is one of the most
diverse in the country.

In addition to its natural assets, Arkansas is second in the nation in aquaculture production. The
state leads the nation in the production of baitfish, hybrid striped bass fingerlings, largemouth
bass food-fish, and triploid grass carp (used for aquatic vegetation control). Arkansas is also
third in catfish production. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) and the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) operate five warmwater and three coldwater hatcheries that
raise and distribute millions of fish into public waters around the state.

Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) are a growing concern for many natural resource agencies.
ANS are aquatic (and sometimes terrestrial) organisms that, when introduced into new habitat,
can threaten the diversity or abundance of native aquatic species. ANS can also put at risk the
ecological stability of infested waters, or the commercial, agricultural, aquacultural, or
recreational activities dependent upon such waters. Native species can be affected through
increased competition for food and nutrients. Many non-natives carry diseases that can be
transferred to native species or humans. Aquatic weeds can choke out waterways, clog pipes,
and restrict recreational use of a water body. According the US Geological Survey’s Non-
indigenous Aquatic Species webpage, of the 99 species introduced into Arkansas waters outside
their natural range, over half are not native to the United States (US Geological Survey, 2007). It
has been estimated that economic damages associated with non-indigenous species effects and
their control climb over $130 billion dollars a year in the United States (Pimentel 2000).

AGFC led the creation of an Arkansas ANS Task Force. The Task Force began its work on
April 17, 2007, and completed the Arkansas plan on March 14, 2013. Forty-four individuals
representing 30 agencies, organizations, and trade associations participated in this effort. Dr.
Carole Engle, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, was contracted to coordinate the plan
development process.

This plan’s goal is to prevent the introduction, establishment, and spread of aquatic nuisance
species, and to eradicate, where feasible, existing aquatic nuisance species in order to minimize
economic and environmental harm in Arkansas. Objectives include:

1. Developing and implementing a means to coordinate education, monitoring, detection,
and management activities related to aquatic nuisance species within Arkansas and with
other states.

2. Developing and implementing comprehensive educational programs on aquatic nuisance
species in Arkansas targeting the highest priority species and pathways, with an emphasis
on both preventive and corrective actions.
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3. Developing and implementing a mechanism for early identification, reporting, and
eradication, where possible, of aquatic nuisance species in Arkansas.

4. Preventing the introduction of new aquatic nuisance species to Arkansas.

5. Monitoring, containing, and managing existing aquatic nuisance species in Arkansas.

6. Identifying potential new aquatic nuisance species and new pathways for introduction
into Arkansas.

The focal species identified in this plan are categorized as pathogens, plants/algae, mollusks,
crustaceans, insects, fish, birds, and mammals. Within each category those already present in
Arkansas are discussed separately from those not yet present.

Many focal species are already present in Arkansas. These include 4 pathogens (Amphibian
Chytrid Fungus, Catfish Trematode, Parasitic Copepods, Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis), 13
plants (Alligatorweed, Brazilian Waterweed, Common Reed, Curly Pondweed, Didymo, Duck
Lettuce, Eurasian Watermilfoil, Giant Lyngbya, Hydrilla, Purple Loosestrife, Uruguayan
Primrose, Water Hyacinth, Water Lettuce), 1 insect (Asian Tiger Mosquito), 1 crustacean
(Gapped Ringed Crayfish), 2 mollusks (Asian Clam, Zebra Mussels), 7 fish (Bighead Carp,
Black Carp, Silver Carp, Northern Snakehead, White Perch, Yellow Bass, Yellow Perch), 2 birds
(American White Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant), and 2 mammals (Beaver, Nutria). Please
note that while American White Pelican, the Double-crested Cormorant, and the Beaver
are native species that are considered nuisance species in Arkansas, they do not meet the
definition of an aquatic nuisance species according to the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance
Prevention and Control Act (NANPCA as amended by NISA, 1996) and that while the Asian tiger
mosquito is considered a nuisance species in Arkansas, it does not meet the definition of an aquatic
species according to Aquatic Nuisance Species Program documents. USFWS State Plan funding via
NANPCA will not be used to fund activities related to these species.

Even more species are recognized as threats that have not yet found their way to Arkansas,
including 9 pathogens (Infectious Hematopoetic Necrosis, Koi Herpes Virus, Muscle
Microsporean, Salamander Iridovirus, Spring Viremia Of Carp Virus, Taura Syndrome Virus,
Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia, Whirling Disease, White Spot Syndrome Virus), 3 plants (Giant
Salvinia, Golden Algae, Roundleaf Toothcup), 6 crustaceans (Australian Red Claw Crayfish,
Chinese Mitten Crab, Everglades Crayfish, Rusty Crayfish, Smooth Marron, Yabby), 8 mollusks
(Big-Ear Radix, Channeled Apple Snail, Chinese Mystery Snail, Ghost Ramshorn Snail, New
Zealand Mud Snail, Quagga Mussel, Quilted Melania, Red-Rim Melania), and 5 fish (Alewife,
Blueback Herring, Eurasian Ruffe, Round Goby, Sticklebacks).

Pathways are the avenues by which ANS can be introduced into the state. This plan groups these
pathways into three categories: 1) unintentional introductions, 2) deliberate, unlawful
introductions, and 3) introduction through natural spread.

A major emphasis of this plan is preventing the introduction of new ANS into the state. The
primary mode of prevention includes a strong emphasis on educational programs and
development of a rapid response structure. Plans of action were developed for several different
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types of responses, depending upon the type of organism and the type of identification
mechanism required.

The plan was developed partially to comply with NISA 1996 (P.L. 104-332), which encouraged
the development of comprehensive aquatic invasive species management plans. Once approved
by the national ANS Task Force, these state plans are eligible for federal funds to assist
implementation. This plan has resulted in statewide collaboration to protect freshwater resources
from adverse effects of ANS.

Arkansas Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force:

Front row left to right: John Turner (ANRC), Patty Eklund (UAPB), Marilyn Barrett-O’Leary
(SARP), Dr. Carole Engle (UAPB), Brian Wagner (AGFC), Kelly Winningham (AGFC), Dr.
Susan Weinstein (ADH), Dr. Eric Park (ABOFGA).

Back row left to right: Clint Turnage (APHIS/WS), Shawn Egan (Lake Norfork Chamber of
Commerce), Jim Wallace (ASPB), Charles “Bo” Collins (Catfish Farmers of AR), Mark
Sattelberg (USFWS), Rachael Higdon (AAD, Aquaculture Division), Jerry Williamson
(Arkansas Farm Bureau), Johnny Cantrell (USCOE), Mark Gibson (Arkansas Green Industry
Association), Melody Parsley (ADH), Dr. Nathan Stone (UAPB), Richard Standage (USFS), Lee
Holt (AGFC), and Mark Oliver (AGFC).

A complete list of members is included as Appendix A to this document.

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INTRODUCTION

The Natural Setting

Arkansas, “The Natural State,” has abundant aquatic resources. There are more than 600,000
acres of lakes and reservoirs and 20,000 miles of streams (Robison and Buchanan, 1988). These
include a wide variety of habitats such as upland and lowland streams, small to very large
springs (Mammoth Spring is the fourth largest spring in the U. S.), big rivers, small to very large
reservoirs, natural lakes, oxbows and cut-offs, bayous, swamps, underground stream systems and
numerous ponds constructed for various purposes. The Mississippi River forms the eastern
border of Arkansas and there are five additional major river basins within the state: the Red,
White, Ouachita, St. Francis and Arkansas.

Major rivers of Arkansas.

Arkansas is also home to important aquatic habitats such as some of the few remaining
bottomland hardwood wetland areas in the south and cave stream systems inhabited by
endangered species.

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The Ecoregions of Arkansas.

Arkansas encompasses parts of six different Ecoregions, each of which provide distinct sets of
environmental conditions. The Delta, or Mississippi Alluvial Plain, is the historic floodplain of
the Mississippi River. This region is still linked by hydrology to the Mississippi River and is
prone to flooding. The natural vegetation is largely southern floodplain forest, although the
dominant land use is agriculture, with soybean, cotton and rice being the major crops in the
region. Almost all of the aquaculture industry is located within the Delta region. It is also a
major migratory corridor for birds during the fall and spring migrations. The Gulf Coastal Plain
is primarily oak-hickory-pine forest uplands and southern floodplain forest in the bottomlands.
Lumber and pulp wood production and livestock grazing are major land uses. The Ouachita
Mountain region is composed of numerous ridges, hills and valleys with oak-hickory-pine forests
dominating the landscape. Logging and recreation are the major land uses. The Arkansas River
Valley is an alluvial valley between the Ouachita and Ozark Mountains. It is made up of plains,
hills, floodplains and scattered mountains. Upland areas have been cleared for pasture or hay
production. The Boston Mountain region is primarily forested, with maximum elevations higher
than in the Ozark Mountains. Water quality is exceptional in streams of this region. Red and
white oaks dominate the uplands, while the drier south and west facing slopes are home to short
leaf pines. Clear, cold spring-fed streams are commonly found throughout the Ozark Mountain
Region. The majority of the land is used for recreation, logging, housing, and livestock farming,
including poultry.

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The Biodiversity

Due in part to the variety of habitats these ecoregions provide, Arkansas is inhabited by a diverse
fauna of 215 fish species (Robison and Buchanan, 1988). Only five states have more native
freshwater fish species than Arkansas. There are four species of fish in Arkansas that are
federally-listed as threatened or endangered (T&E): the Ozark cavefish (Amblopsis rosae), the
yellowcheek darter (Etheostoma moorei), the leopard darter (Percina pantherina), and the pallid
sturgeon (Scaphirynchus alba). Others are being assessed for listing.

Of the 300 freshwater mussel species recognized in North America, Arkansas is home to 81 -
more than any other state west of the Mississippi River. Only nine states have more mussel
species than Arkansas, with the greatest mussel richness occurring in the southeastern United
States. Freshwater mussels are ranked as the third most imperiled group of animals in Arkansas,
according to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s State Wildlife Action Plan (Anderson,
2006). Of the 25 species of animals in Arkansas that are listed as T&E by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, 9 (36%) are freshwater mussels: Ouachita rock pocketbook (Arkansia
wheeleri), Curtis pearlymussel (Epioblasma florentina curtisi), turgid blossom (Epioblasma
turgidula), pink mucket (Lampsilis abrupta), Arkansas fatmucket (Lampsilis powelli), speckled
pocketbook (Lampsilis streckeri), scaleshell (Leptodea leptodon), fat pocketbook (Potamilus
capax), and winged mapleleaf (Quadrula fragosa).

North America is the global center of crayfish diversity, with over 400 of the world’s
approximately 550 species. Arkansas is home to roughly 60 of these species, more than any
other state west of the Mississippi River and 5th among all states. Crayfish are ranked as the
most imperiled group of animals in Arkansas, according to AGFC’s Arkansas Wildlife Action
Plan. Only two of Arkansas’ crayfish are listed as T&E by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(Benton County cave crayfish, Cambarus aculabrum, and Hell Creek cave crayfish, Cambarus
zophonastes), but experts consider crayfish to be vastly under-protected. Taylor et al. (2007)
considered 48% of North America’s crayfish species to be in need of protection, and Stein et al.
(2000) found 51% to be imperiled.

There are approximately 120 species of amphibians and reptiles in Arkansas, several of which
are in the process of being identified as part of larger species complexes. Arkansas is facing
imminent threats to its native amphibian fauna due to infectious disease (i.e., chytrid fungus) and
commercial harvest. Only one of our native amphibian and reptile species is federally listed - the
American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis. This listing is only Threatened Due to Similarity
of Appearance - a means to track and regulate control of crocodilian meat and hides from
commercial enterprises.

The Human Element

The diversity of aquatic habitats in Arkansas allows for numerous recreational activities enjoyed
year-round by people from across the country. High quality fisheries for bass, walleye, trout,
and other sport fish species attract many anglers from within the state, around the country, and
abroad. According to the 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated
Recreation (USDOI-USFWS and USDC-USCB 2006), there were 655,000 fishing trips within
the state, which was 11th in number among inland states and 21st among all states (including
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Great Lakes states). Fishing revenue to the state for that year was valued at $420,571,000.
Arkansas has produced a number of world record fish (including current world records for brown
trout, walleye, and hybrid striped bass). Thousands of competitive fishing tournaments
(including the first $1 million bass tournament) are held in the state every year.

Other wildlife-associated recreation, which is intrinsically connected to water resources, was
valued at $606,701,000 for 2006 (USDOI-USFWS and USDC-USCB 2006). In addition to
fishing and wildlife-associated recreation, other water recreation, such as paddling, swimming,
boating, skiing, SCUBA diving, jet skiing, and sailing are also popular and extremely important
to the economy of the state. Following agriculture, tourism is Arkansas’s second highest revenue
producer and much of it is water-oriented.

Distribution of federal, state, and private aquaculture facilities in Arkansas.

In addition to its natural aquatic resources, Arkansas is the second-leading aquaculture producing
state in the United States. Arkansas leads the nation in the production of baitfish, hybrid striped
bass fingerlings, largemouth bass food-fish, and triploid grass carp for aquatic vegetation control.
It is third in the U.S. in catfish production. There are 225 fish farm permits currently on record
with AGFC. AGFC operates four warmwater and one coldwater hatchery that produce a wide
variety of cold, cool, and warmwater fish for distribution to public waters around the state.
AGFC also operates a number of satellite fish culture facilities such as nursery ponds and net
pens as well. USFWS has two trout hatcheries and one warmwater hatchery in the state for the
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