Early Detection Rapid Response

mouth wide open sharp teeth of a northern snakehead — If you capture a snakehead fish: Do not release the fish or throw it up on the bank (it could wriggle back into the water)

When a new species is introduced, the best strategy is Early Detection and Rapid Response. This includes monitoring habitats to discover new species soon after introduction, reporting sightings of previously unknown species in an area, and working quickly to keep the species from becoming established and spreading. EDRR can slow range expansion of ANS, and avoid the need for costly long-term control efforts. Below are key resources developed by the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, its members, regional panels, or subcommittees to detect and response to aquatic nuisance species before they establish and cause harm:

Occurrence Databases

Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) information resource (U.S. Geological Survey) - a central repository for spatially referenced biogeographic accounts of introduced aquatic species. The program provides scientific reports, online/realtime queries, spatial data sets, distribution maps, and general information.
Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species information System (NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory) - a regional node of the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) database, provides information about aquatic nonindigenous species in the Laurentian Great Lakes region of North America
National Exotic Marine and Estuarine Species Information System (NEMESIS) (Smithsonian Environmental Research Center) - a resource for information on non-native species that occur in coastal marine waters of the United States.

Rapid Response Plans

Columbia River Basin Interagency Invasive Species Response Plan: Zebra Mussels and Other Dreissenid Species - reflects strategies, models, and activities gleaned from a variety of other contingency plans. In particular, it draws from the Model Interagency Response Plan created in 2003 by the Western Regional Panel (WRP) of the ANS Task Force.
Lake Champlain Basin Rapid Response Action Plan for Aquatic Invasive Species- intended to ensure and facilitate the availability of appropriate protocols, trained personnel, equipment, permits, and other resources to contain and potentially eradicate newly detected nonnative aquatic invasive plant, animal, and pathogen introductions as they are reported or discovered in the basin.
Rapid Response Planning for Aquatic Invasive Species: A Maryland Example - serves as a tool for states in the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond to use in developing their own Rapid Response Plans.
Response Protocols for Biofouled Debris and Invasive Species Generated by the 2011 Japan Tsunami - includes guidelines for the communication of risk, a framework for incident reporting, science‐based protocols for risk assessment, and management options to effectively and consistently respond to potential ANS associated with marine debris on shore and at sea.

Rapid Response Fund

The Model Process: Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species - outlines a structure structure
Something temporarily or permanently constructed, built, or placed; and constructed of natural or manufactured parts including, but not limited to, a building, shed, cabin, porch, bridge, walkway, stair steps, sign, landing, platform, dock, rack, fence, telecommunication device, antennae, fish cleaning table, satellite dish/mount, or well head.

Learn more about structure and process for a pilot Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species. It defines circumstances and activities that qualify for funding and addresses eligibility of applicants, application process, evaluation criteria, expectations on desired outcomes, and the relationship of those activities to the National EDRR Framework.