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ABRPI News and Updates

Frequently Asked Questions about shipbreaking and the risk of non-native species associated with hull fouling communities

This FAQ was compiled by the Aquatic Bioinvasions Research and Policy Institute at the request of the Oregon Invasive Species Council. None of these answers should be construed as policy recommendations. Questions and comments may be directed to the ABRPI. Full FAQ Here

Broad-Scale Nonindigenous Species Monitoring along the West Coast in National Marine Sanctuaries and National Estuarine Research Reserves

Report to National Fish & Wildlife Foundation by C. E. deRivera et al.

Nonindigenous species have caused substantial environmental and economic damage to coastal areas. Moreover, the extent and impacts of nonindigenous species are increasing over time. To develop predictive models and to identify which areas should be targeted for impact mitigation or early detection, we need a basic foundation of knowledge about the spatial and temporal patterns of invasions. This project was developed because we lacked the necessary data to rigorously evaluate the patterns of coastal invasions. This collaborative project, between the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) and the National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP), established a rigorous, largescale monitoring and research program for invasive species in nine protected coastal areas along the US West Coast from San Diego, CA, to Kachemak Bay, AK.

Available as a pdf for download. Report has been broken down into three parts for ease of download.
Part I Part II Part III

January 11, 2006 ---- Native crabs can contain spread of invasive species

Researchers from the Aquatic Bioinvasions Research and Policy Institute -- a joint program of Portland State University and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center -- found that native blue crabs, common in and south of the Chesapeake Bay, eat green crabs and curb their populations. They even prevent the invasive green crab from spreading south of Maryland, said Catherine deRivera, a PSU research biologist. full story [pdf]...

August 4, 2005 --- New ABRPI professor has crabby tale to tell

In today's overpriced real estate market, men seeking women may want to take some advice from a little animal called the California fiddler crab: Get the best house you can afford – and maybe something better. A new UCSD study says she may be the world's most discriminating animal when picking a mate. Apparently, male fiddler crabs with substandard housing remain sadly single, while those with the goods get all the action, according to a new UCSD study. full story...