NOTÍCIAS
voltar»

Estados Unidos: El dãno producido por especies invasoras aumenta y el Congreso pospone coalición a apoyar moratoria de barcos en os Grandes Lagos

United States: The damage caused by invasive species increases and Congress to support coalition postpones moratorium on boats in the Great Lakes

The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition today is calling for a moratorium of ocean-going ships in the Great Lakes until Congress stops the introduction of aquatic invasive species.

"Our call for a moratorium stems from the fact that the Great Lakes are under attack and Congress has yet to respond," said Jeff Skelding, campaign director for the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. "We have solutions. It is time to use them. Congressional delay is exacerbating the problem and costing citizens more money. It is time for elected officials to pass legislation that will slam the door shut on new invasive species in the Great Lakes."

The call for a moratorium comes as the latest non-native pathogen in the Great Lakes -- a deadly fish virus -- spreads throughout the region, prompting state legislators in Wisconsin, Minnesota, New York and Ohio to consider bills to curb introductions of non-native species from ballast water -- the No. 1 way invasive species enter the Great Lakes and possible source of VHS introduction.

Ocean-going vessels have introduced some of the most infamous invasive species including:

• The zebra mussel, which has decimated the base of the Great Lakes food chain, played a role in the re-emergence of the Lake Erie "Dead Zone" and toxic algae blooms.

• The round goby, which has decimated small-mouth bass populations.

• The Eurasian ruffe, which competes with Yellow perch and feeds off eggs of the commercially important Lake Whitefish.

Invasive species foul beaches, harm commercial and recreational fishing, clog power plant and municipal water infrastructure, and disrupt the food chain. Aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes can also cause public health impacts, including harmful algal blooms, deterioration in drinking water quality, and beach closures.

Invasive species cost Great Lakes citizens, businesses and municipalities $5 billion annually in damage and control costs. Nationally, aquatic and terrestrial invasive species cost more than $120 billion annually.

Transportation experts estimate that the United States and Canada would have to spend an additional $55 million jointly to utilize transportation alternatives such as Laker, barge, rail or truck, to move the bulk cargo currently carried by ocean-vessels.

Co-led by the National Wildlife Federation and the National Parks Conservation Association, the Healing Our Waters(R)-Great Lakes Coalition consists of more than 90 zoos, aquariums, museums, and hunting, fishing, and environmental organizations representing millions of people, whose common goal is to restore and protect the Great Lakes.

voltar »