The 2012 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, which entered into force in February of 2013, includes a commitment to develop and implement an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) early detection and rapid response initiative by February 2015, as part of one of a number of strategies being applied to prevent the introduction and spread of AIS.
Through the efforts of federal, state and provincial agencies, Canada and the United States have developed and implemented an early detection and rapid response initiative. Achievements under the initiative to date include:
• the development of a “watch list” for species at risk of invading the Great Lakes;
• the Identification of priority locations for AIS surveillance;
• the development and implementation of surveillance methodologies;
• the establishment and implementation of protocols for information sharing; and
• the coordination of plans and preparations for any response actions necessary to prevent the establishment of newly detected AIS.
A report documenting the early detection and rapid response initiative to date will be available soon. Subscribe to receive notification when the report is available. This effort is being led by the AIS Annex Subcommittee .