All for One Regulation and One Regulation for All
David Lung
Professor Cooke
Writing 20- Invasive Aquatic Species
19 March 2010
All for One Regulation and One Regulation for All
Peters and Lodge (2009) suggest there needs to be consistent regulation on a regional scale that goes beyond political boundaries in order to viably control the spread of an invasive species. In their investigation of the spread of rusty crayfish, Peters and Lodge (2009) discovered a large disparity in the regulation of the many invasive crayfish that are present in the Great Lakes region. For the anglers, aquaculture industry, pet industry, and bait dealers, what is illegal varies considerably, making controlling the spread of invasive crayfish difficult since there are many ways for the crayfish to invade new habitats. As a result of policies among states that range from having a total ban on using crayfish to complete freedom of use, invasive crayfish have spread a significant distance over the course of 3 years (Minnesota to Pennsylvania). Acting on Peter and Lodge’s (2009) study, it is necessary to enact regional policies versus political policies.
Peters and Lodge (2009) make an excellent case and in my review of giant salvinia, it is necessary for broad regulation of invasive species instead of a smaller jurisdiction (state, local, etc.) making their own policies that run counter to those of another. Giant salvinia has been listed as a noxious weed in Florida, North Carolina, Mississippi, Texas, California, Arizona, Louisiana, Alabama, South Carolina and Georgia. Being listed as a noxious weed, there is a consistent regulation in the Federal Noxious Weed Act of 1975 that prohibits transporting the weed in interstate or foreign commerce. Should each state of had their own policy to deal with giant salvinia, then the spread of the fern may go farther than it already has. Invasive species, as Peters and Lodge (2009) have stated, do not recognize political boundaries nor do they adhere to any laws. As a result, there needs to be a uniform set of regulations over an entire region or an area that an invasive species has currently spread; otherwise, the example set by the invasive crayfish will come to be a common occurrence among all invasive species.
References:
http://www.fws.gov/laws/lawsdigest/FEDNOX.HTML
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SAMO5
Peters JA, DM Lodge. 2009. Invasive Species Policy at the Regional Level: A Multiple Weak Links Problem. Fisheries 34: 373-381.