Preventing the introduction and spread of invasive aquatic species is a priority for the State of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). Most often, invasive species are introduced after they’ve “hitchhiked” from one ecosystem to another on the hull of various types of vessels including commercial, recreational, fishing, and research vessels as well as mobile marine infrastructure. Steps are being taken to prevent the introduction of invasive species to Hawaii’s ecosystems through the development of user-friendly biofouling management guidance documents.
As a part of this effort, the DLNR has worked with other Pacific Coast States, under the direction of the Western Regional Panel Coastal Committee, to create a simple recreational vessel biofouling best practices guidance document, which recreational boaters can adopt to become part of the solution.
Please contact Julie Kuo, Ballast Water and Biofouling Coordinator at Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, for more information or for copies of the guide. email@example.com