Healthy Coastal Ecosystems: Past Projects

Role of Local Governments in Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Efforts

In 2020, the National Sea Grant Law Center and project partner, Creative Resources Strategies, LLC, received funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct research on the role of municipalities in aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention efforts. This project resulted in the development of an online toolkit to help local governments navigate the regulatory framework associated with high-risk priority AIS.

Local Government Aquatic Invasive Species Toolkit

Building Consensus to Identify and Address Priority Aquatic Invasive Species and Vectors in the Great Lakes

The National Sea Grant Law Center received funding from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) to assess variability in the regulated species lists of the Great Lakes states and provinces and identify priority actions to address identified gaps and vectors of concern. The NSGLC reviewed and updated information in a spreadsheet maintained by the Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species, the Great Lakes Commission, and the GLFC Law Enforcement Committee on restricted activities for aquatic invasive species (AIS) in the Great Lakes region. Following the review, the NSGLC focused on 21 AIS either listed as “injurious wildlife” under the Lacey Act (18 U.S.C. 42) or designated as “least wanted” AIS by the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers. The NSGLC created one-page summaries for each of the 21 species. The NSGLC also performed an analysis of the AIS laws in each Great Lakes state and province by key pathways identified by GLFC.

Building Consensus to Identify and Address Priority AIS and Vectors in the Great Lakes

Increasing Awareness of the Legal Framework Governing Removal of Marine Debris and Placement of Fishing Gear in the New England Region

In 2015, the National Sea Grant Law Center received a grant award from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Fishing for Energy Partnership to help New England managers assess the feasibility of implementing innovative derelict fishing gear removal strategies in their states. The research resulted in two reports that included summaries and comparisons of DFG programs in eleven priority states; case studies of six DFG programs; summaries of DFG laws in five New England states; and an analysis of the transferability of DFG case studies to New England states. The NSGLC also partnered with the Rhode Island Sea Grant Legal Program (RISGLP) at the Roger Williams University School of Law to perform research on vessel navigation laws and restrictions on the placement of commercial fishing gear within shipping and boating lanes.

State Derelict Fishing Gear Laws and Regulations

Transferability of Innovative Derelict Fishing Gear Removal Strategies to Northeast States

Preventing Fishing Gear Loss from Vessel Interactions in New England