Minimizing the Risk of Invasive Algae to Kona Coral Reefs:

An analysis of vulnerability, likely pathways, and policy gaps

Hawaii Coral Reef InitiativeStatus Report March 2011

Katherine Cullison

Significant Updates:Collaborators lost/gained: The project has had

significant changes in personnel. The Co-PI, Tony Montgomery, resigned from DAR at the beginning of 2011. The DOA liaison, Domingo Cravalho, retired at the end of 2010. However, several new people have stepped into significant supporting roles. Celia Smith (UH Botany) has offered endless counsel on all aspects of the project, especially the weed risk assessment. The DAR legal fellow, Wayne Tanaka, has been an enthusiastic collaborator and has been essential for navigating statutes, authorities, rules, and legislative notes. HISC and CGAPS have also expressed support and have been helpful with outreach information.

Significant Updates: Implementation/Finances:The former co-pi requested that the funds be placed at PCSU at

the University. Paperwork, hiring, and account setup was not complete until March 2011. As of the today there has been no invoicing for this project; a significant delay from the expected timeline.

This project has been slow to get off the ground. Thankfully the bulk of the work that required direct DOA involvement was completed before Domingo’s departure. Work has been started on every component of the project. Now that the funds are in place and new collaborators have been identified, the project is in full swing and is being worked on almost full-time. It is hoped that with the cooperation of DOA and DAR there will not be a significant delay in completing all deliverables.

Goal: Identify Likely Pathways of IntroductionEach species has distinct likely vectors of

transport. Acanthophora for example, with no significant commercial value, is most likely spread as a hull fouling organism or by a natural vector. Gracilaria salicornia, however, is less often a fouling algae and has heavy fragments that are not likely to float island to island, yet this invasive species has been deliberately planted in new locations throughout the state by individuals seeking a hardy alternative to the depleted native species of Gracilaria.

Goal: Identify Likely Pathways of IntroductionProgress:The PI trained with USFWS in the use of

HACPP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Point Pathways) with the specific objective of utilizing HACPP in this project. However, the tool is of limited use when applied to a vague risk with many possible pathways that include recreational boating, commercial shipping, aquaculture, and the pet trade. The tool will be useful when recommending best management practices for managing the import, transport and culture of alien species and will be employed later in the project.

Goal: Examine the Kona Region’s Vulnerability to Invasive AlgaeProgress:

GIS layers have been obtained, mostly through NOAA sources, for both ecological data and human use data. The layers are being examined for suitability and scale resolution, and will be selected and compiled with help from the UH Botany GIS manager, Stephanie Saephan. A vulnerability analysis will attempt to isolate specific areas where each known invasive algae would find a suitable habitat. Maps will be created for each species. Additional maps of land-based human use patterns and ocean recreational use are also being created, although the data is limited.

Goal: Identify Gaps and Limitations in Policy Related to Invasive Marine Algae.Progress:Department of Agriculture is the agency responsible for permitting

imports if alien species. The preliminary recommendations for concerns relating to DOA procedures is mostly finished. They will be presented to DOA for review after an initial discussion with a yet to be identified liaison at DOA (Domingo Cravalho has retired from state service but remains available to consult on this project).

DAR is the agency responsible for licensing collection, possession and culture of regulated species. The PI has been working with the DAR legal fellow to examine current authorities and rules. When finished we will draft a set of rule recommendation that hopefully will fit within the scope of existing statutes.

The PI is also reviewing the management policies of other states and countries and will synthesize that review as part of the final recommendations for Hawaii.

Over-arching goal: Weed Risk Assessment It is not possible to make recommendations

regarding invasive species without first identifying the characteristics that lead a species to become established and dominant in a new environment. Weed Risk Assessment is a tool that has proven itself in terrestrial applications, but has seen limited use in marine management. We are attempting to create an algal weed risk assessment for Hawaii based on the known parameters of invasive algae both here and in similar climates. The biggest hurdle in this portion of the research has been the lack of physiological data to plug into the assessment, although the tool will still be of significant utility to DOA when determining whether or not to accept an application to import an alien algae into Hawaii.

Goal: Provide Recommendations for Best Management Practices…Progress:The PI has met to discussed this issue with

members of the aquaculture industry, DAR, DOA, and USFWS. This deliverable will be one of the last items finished, as it will rely largely on the outcome of the policy review and additional information from the industry. It is hoped that the resulting recommendations will be accepted by both DLNR and DOA.

Goal: Design a Public Outreach CampaignProgress:The PI has held several meetings with the HISC

communications coordinator and with the CGAPS public relations specialist. We have focused on identifying the target audiences and desired behavioral changes that could prevent deliberate and accidental introductions. We are compiling and updating previously designed outreach materials and developing a few additional pieces. While this grant funds outreach design/development, there are no funds for implementation. The PI applied for and received a small supplemental grant from HISC to allow for some outreach materials to be printed and delivered once the campaign is fully fleshed out.

Minimizing the threat of alien algae to KonaAlgal risk assessment, invasive character

traitsIdentify likely impacts, vulnerable

habitatsIdentify likely vectorsReview risk management agencies and

policies. Identify gapsReview risk management for likely

threat vectors Draft amended regulationsAddress public perception and behavior