Answer:
Explanation:
Arkansas, “The Natural State,” has abundant aquatic resources in the form of rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs, springs, and groundwater. World-class fisheries for bass and trout attract anglers from around the country for competitive tournaments as well as recreational fishing. Arkansas is located entirely within the Mississippi River drainage and is home to important aquatic habitats, such as some of the few remaining bottomland hardwood wetland areas in the south. Due to the presence of six distinct eco-regions, the aquatic fauna is one of the most diverse in the country.
In addition to its natural assets, Arkansas is second in the nation in aquaculture production. The state leads the nation in the production of baitfish, hybrid striped bass fingerlings, largemouth bass food-fish, and triploid grass carp (used for aquatic vegetation control). Arkansas is also third in catfish production. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) operate five warmwater and three coldwater hatcheries that raise and distribute millions of fish into public waters around the state.
Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) are a growing concern for many natural resource agencies.
ANS are aquatic (and sometimes terrestrial) organisms that, when introduced into new habitat, can threaten the diversity or abundance of native aquatic species. ANS can also put at risk the ecological stability of infested waters, or the commercial, agricultural, aquacultural, or recreational activities dependent upon such waters. Native species can be affected through increased competition for food and nutrients. Many non-natives carry diseases that can be transferred to native species or humans. Aquatic weeds can choke out waterways, clog pipes, and restrict recreational use of a water body. According the US Geological Survey’s Non- indigenous Aquatic Species webpage, of the 99 species introduced into Arkansas waters outside their natural range, over half are not native to the United States (US Geological Survey, 2007). It has been estimated that economic damages associated with non-indigenous species effects and their control climb over $130 billion dollars a year in the United States (Pimentel 2000).
AGFC led the creation of an Arkansas ANS Task Force. The Task Force began its work on April 17, 2007, and completed the Arkansas plan on March 14, 2013. Forty-four individuals representing 30 agencies, organizations, and trade associations participated in this effort. Dr. Carole Engle, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, was contracted to coordinate the plan development process.
This plan’s goal is to prevent the introduction, establishment, and spread of aquatic nuisance species, and to eradicate, where feasible, existing aquatic nuisance species in order to minimize economic and environmental harm in Arkansas. Objectives include:
1. Developing and implementing a means to coordinate education, monitoring, detection, and management activities related to aquatic nuisance species within Arkansas and with other states.
2. Developing and implementing comprehensive educational programs on aquatic nuisance species in Arkansas targeting the highest priority species and pathways, with an emphasis on both preventive and corrective actions.