Fisheries Resources
Pacific Region

Aquatic Invasive Species


What Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) are: AIS are non-native plants and animals introduced into a water body with the potential to harm the environment, people, and the economy.

Why you should care: AIS directly harm native species and cause billions of dollars in damage. Nearly two-thirds of all endangered fish and clams have been impacted by invasive non-native species. Hydropower generation, municipal water supplies, and agricultural irrigation can also suffer tremendous losses from aquatic invaders.

What USFWS is doing about it: The Fisheries Program of the USFWS co-chairs the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force. As a part of this task force, we work in coordination with other federal agencies and partners to prevent and control aquatic nuisance species and serve as a significant source of federal expertise and support for action-oriented partnerships. One of our most important undertakings in the Pacific Region is the 100th Meridian Initiative to prevent the western spread of the zebra mussel. We also provide funding to individual states (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Hawaii) to help implement statewide aquatic nuisance species plans and fund research on aquatic invasive species prevention and nuisance control.



Prevention & Awareness

Early Detection Makes a Difference

Mitten Crab


Last updated: April 29, 2014

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