The NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration), headquartered in Washington D.C., strives to keep citizens informed on the environment around them, through scientific research and education. From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings and climate monitoring, to fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce, NOAA’s products and services support economic vitality and affect more than one-third of America’s gross domestic product. The NOAA’s scientists use cutting-edge research and high-tech instrumentation to provide citizens, planners, emergency managers and other decision makers with reliable information they need when they need it.
NOAA's roots date back to 1807, when the Nation’s first scientific agency, the Survey of the Coast, was established. Since then, NOAA has evolved to meet the needs of a changing country. NOAA maintains a presence in every state and has emerged as an international leader on scientific and environmental matters.
NOAA’s mission (to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts, to share that knowledge and information with others, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources) touches the lives of every American and they take pride in their role in protecting life and property and conserving/protecting natural resources.
Among the multitude of issues the NOAA addresses, they focus on Aquatic Invasive Species in the Great Lakes region. There has been extensive damage to the Great Lakes due to over 180 non-native species. Species such as the zebra mussel, quagga mussel, round goby, sea lampry, and alewife reproduce and spread, ultimately degrading habitat, out-competing native species, and short-circuiting food webs. Non-native plants such as purple loosestrife and Eurasian milfoil have also harmed the Great Lakes ecosystem. Unfortunately, the damage caused by invasive species often goes beyond the ecological. They can threaten human health and hurt the Great Lakes economy by damaging critical industries such as fisheries, agriculture, and tourism.
 |
| Zebra Mussels in Lake Michigan |
 |
| Round Goby |
The NOAA is focused on preventing the spread of invasive species because once they have established in an area it is quite expensive and difficult to fix the damage. Prevention is a more cost-effective manner to dealing with aquatic invasive species, especially with the knowledge and research tools available.
One way in which the NOAA addresses invasive species in the Great Lakes region is with The Great Lakes Aquatic Non-Indigenous Species Information System (GLANSIS). (GLANSIS) provides extensive invasive species collection records for the Great Lakes Region. NOAA created GLANSIS to provide a “one stop shop” for technical information on non-indigenous species that have become established in the Great Lakes. If natural resource managers are familiar with these species, they can more effectively prevent their spread.
The NOAA also specifically focuses on Asian Carp Assessment and Asian Carp education in the Great Lakes region. Asian Carp (bighead, silver, grass, and black) were imported to the Southern U.S. in the 1970’s to help support aquaculture. Today, bighead and silver carp are the dominant fish species in the Illinois River, which connects the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan. There is concern that if bighead and silver carp enter the Great Lakes, they may cause significant ecosystem damage. The NOAA is currently contributing to vital research on Asian carps’ prospects for survival in Great Lakes water.
 |
| Asian Carp in Illinois River |
Sources
http://gulfseafoodnews.com/2014/05/04/louisiana-chefs-solution-asian-carp-invasion-eat/
http://bridgemi.com/2014/06/the-fish-that-got-away/
http://www.syracuse.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2015/07/angler_round_gobies_are_finally_turning_up_oneida_lake_in_great_numbers.html
http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/Task_rpts/2000/edynalepa09-3.html
Hey interesting write up of the NOAA. Are they doing anything to stop where the Asian carp are now? Also, if you haven't seen Marquette university in Milwaukee recently expanded its water law policy initiative offering more classes and internships relating to water law. Are there any other local actors that the NOAA works with.
ReplyDeleteHey Ryan. Thanks for the comment! That's cool news about Marquette; I'll have to check into that. From what I have read about the NOAA and their involvement with the Asian carp, they are more so focused on researching the carp and what their prospects for survival would be if they were to enter the Great Lakes. How harmful would they actually be to the ecosystem/food chain? How would the water temperature affect their livelihood? I believe I even read some scientists would consider through some small scale studies conducted, that it is even possible native species in the Great Lakes would feed on the carp, thus keeping the population under control. It seems to be a rather complex research task because there are many factors that need to be considered, but the NOAA has a goal to fill any research/knowledge gaps in relation to the Asian carp issue, if you will. I am not entirely sure what type of role the NOAA plays in addressing the areas that are currently dealing with the carp, like the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. It seems they are more involved in researching the species and identifying the different variables that would influence the effects of the invasive species entering our lakes. Although, The NOAA does have an Asian Carp Education and Outreach project. The Great Lakes Sea Grant Network (which I have never heard of until recently) will provide outreach on regional control efforts within each of the (8) Great Lake states in relation to the carp. They provide basic education on how to prevent the spread of the Asian Carp too. To touch on your question about local actors: from the reading I have done thus far, the NOAA seems to be connected to large scale actors such as the US Fish and Wildlife Service, CILER, and even Australia's CSIRO Division of Marine and Atmospheric Research. The NOAA and/or their services/educational programs attract anglers, charter captains, teachers/students, the general public, elected officials, resource managers, decision makers, marina operators, boaters, port directors, coastal county commissioners and mayors, and many partner or collaborating organizations including state Departments of Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the US Geological Service, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, the International Joint Commission, and others. By using the established outreach and extension programs of the various Great Lakes states Sea Grant offices, NOAA will be able to more effectively reach recreational and resource users to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species in the region. I just typed way more than I thought I would. Please excuse me for any spelling or grammatical errors. Hopefully I answered your questions.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletePretty informative read. NOAA is actually considered a sort of "research navy" with a status as a military organization with commissioned officers, uniforms, etc. I wasn't aware of NOAA's activities in the Great Lakes or in riparian systems. That there are over 180 invasive aquatic species in the Great Lakes is pretty alarming. Do you know what NOAA's plans are for mitigating or removing an Asian carp infestation once they actually reach the Great Lakes?
ReplyDeleteA research navy? That seems made up haha. I have never heard that term. Crazy though, to be looked at with a status similar to that of military. That is not even something that would cross my mind when thinking of the NOAA. To save myself A LOT more typing you may want to refer to my recent reply to Ryan's comment above this. I feel as though some of the information I provided is related to your question. The NOAA may have plans if there were to be an infestation, but most of the reading I have done on them and their approach to the Asian Carp situation is focused on prevention. That seems to be the desired strategy in relation to all of the aquatic invasive species they deal with (the removal and maintenance is insanely expensive). Also, the NOAA is focusing quite a bit on researching the carp to better understand the possible risks they may cause IF an infestation happened to occur in the Great Lakes. But yes, they are all about prevention, education, and performing scientific research....
Delete