2015 Biennial Report on the California Marine Invasive Species Program Marine Invasive Species...

2015 Biennial Report on the California Marine Invasive Species Program

Marine Invasive Species ProgramCalifornia State Lands CommissionFebruary 20, 2015

Nonindigenous Species (NIS)

• Organisms transported by humans to regions where they do not occur historically

• Cause serious impacts to economy, human health, and environment

• Second greatest threat to global biodiversity after habitat destruction

Shipping Vectors

• 79.5% coastal introductions to N.A. attributed to ships• Ballast Water – water taken into vessel

for stability purposes– Organisms introduced when ballast

is discharged• Vessel Biofouling – organisms attached

to or associated with wetted surfaces of ships– Organisms introduced when

they drop off or reproduce (spawn)

Marine Invasive Species Program (MISP)

• Authorizing Legislation– Ballast Water Management for Control of NIS Act (1999)– Marine Invasive Species Act (2003)

• Multi-agency state program– Commission, CDFW, State Water Board, BOE

• Special fund– Vessel fee $850 per arrival at California ports

• Mandate– Move the state expeditiously towards elimination of the

discharge of NIS into California waters

MISP Biennial Report• Commission must submit report to

Legislature every two years

• This report is 7th Biennial Report on the MISP, outlining program activities and vessel-reported NIS management practices• July 1, 2012 - June 30, 2014

• Public Resources Code sections 71210 and 71212

2015 Biennial Report – Contents

• Introduction to NIS and vessels vectors • Origins and overview of the MISP• Emerging issues• Analysis of vessel arrivals patterns, vessel-

reported data on ballast water and biofouling management

• Overview of external and funded research • Next steps and conclusions

Vessel Arrivals at California Ports

9,500 arrivals annually

Ballast Water Management Compliance

• 122 million metric tons of ballast carried into CA– 98% managed in compliance with CA law• Majority of arrivals (84%) report no discharge• 23.4 MMT reported discharged into California

Hull Husbandry Data

• 5 years of data (2008-2013)• Most complete data set in the world on hull

husbandry and vessel operational practices that influence biofouling accumulation

Next Steps• Improve compliance with ballast water management laws

– Outreach to vessel types with majority of violations– Develop enforcement regulations

• Reduce discharge of “high risk” BW in California– Management options for unmanned barges

• Work towards implementation of BW performance standards– Discuss legislative options to address lack of available technologies– Assess performance of shipboard ballast water treatment systems– Await results of shore-based treatment feasibility study

• Biofouling management– Propose biofouling management regulations– Consult with Water Boards on in-water cleaning in California

• Track federal bills that could impact Commission authority

Questions?