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?