Introduced Aquatic Species in California Coastal Waters, Final Report

Fairey, Russell; Dunn, Roslynn; Roberts, Cassandra; Sigala, Marco; Oliver, John

The Ballast Water Management Act of 1999, Government Code 71211, stipulates that the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) conduct appropriate studies necessary to develop a list of non-indigenous species (NIS) occurring in the marine and estuarine waters of the state. The DFG’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) was assigned the task of conducting the NIS investigations. The OSPR has identified seven regions of the state, representing the state’s major ports and estuaries to conduct field, laboratory, and literature studies on the presence of NIS. These areas include: the ports of San Diego, Los Angeles/Long Beach, Hueneme, Stockton, Sacramento; San Francisco Bay and adjacent waters and Humboldt Bay. In addition, supplemental samples were collected from numerous small harbors and bays along the entire California coast. The work described below is part of an effort that began in the fall of 2000 in the ports of Stockton, Sacramento and Hueneme, and has continued since that time for the additional targeted ports, harbors and bays in northern and central California. Field and laboratory studies were jointly conducted by DFG/OSPR and Moss Landing Marine Laboratory’s Marine Pollution Studies Lab (MLML/MPSL). Additional universities and specialized laboratories provided taxonomic expertise in identification of marine and estuarine species. While marine and estuarine environments are known to experience high rates of invasion from non-indigenous species, these systems have not been at the forefront of invasion ecology studies. Until recent decades, large-scale biological invasion research of marine habitats was limited, and only lately has this topic been increasingly studied above the species level (Grosholz, 2002). More recent research is identifying the intensity of the ecological alterations that are taking place at the community and evolutionary levels, as a result of introduced species (Carlton and Geller, 1993). Even with the identification of numerous introductory vectors, which include the ballast of a ship, aquaculture (trade), and fisheries enhancement, the power to predict invasions and viable establishment is still not strong because of the variety of biological and oceanographic factors that influence the ecosystem (Carlton, 1999). As these studies continue, it is apparent that knowledge of the natural histories of both native and non-native species is vital to understanding and predicting sustainable invasions (Carlton, 1996). The survey presented here should aid our knowledge of the extent of invasions and subsequent ecological adaptations, as well as prevalent trends in recruitment and succession caused by bio-invasions. The primary objective of this survey was to identify the presence and relative abundance of introduced aquatic species in California’s bays and harbors. In order to meet this objective, it was necessary to refine the current status of introduced species in California through a comprehensive literature review. Reconciliation of taxonomic vocabulary, naming convention updates, defensible species descriptions, introduction documentation and identification of source vectors were all needed to provide a working master list of introduced species. The literature review was also needed to provide current knowledge and methods for design of a systematic field investigation of infaunal, epifaunal and planktonic communities throughout the state. Information related to the presence and range of introduced species will also be used as baseline information in future studies for assessing rates ands modes of introduction, as well as range extensions....