Aquatic Invasive Species threaten California’s waters and their beneficial uses. Risk assessments identify, evaluate, and estimate the level of risk of a potential invasive species or pathway due to your organization’s activities. They are an important tool in invasive species management, and are used to inform, prevent, prioritize, and respond. The Clean Water Team encourages those that will be water quality monitoring, in any waterbody, to prepare a comprehensive AIS-Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point Plan.

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) - AIS-HACCP is a self-inspection system for reducing the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species through aquaculture, hatchery, scientific, natural resource, and baitfish harvesting activities. This adaptable way to protect waterways from unwanted species was derived from HACCP methods required for the seafood industry and builds on Sea Grant’s success in assisting industry compliance. HACCP planning support includes instructions, forms and a planning wizard that will help reduce the risks of spreading hitchhiking species.

• California Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan

This plan proposes management actions for addressing aquatic invasive species (AIS) threats to the State of California. It focuses on the non-native algae, crabs, clams, fish, plants and other species that continue to invade California’s creeks, wetlands, rivers, bays and coastal waters.

State surveys of California's coastal waters have identified at least 312 species of aquatic invaders. These invaders cause major impacts: disrupting agriculture, shipping, water delivery, recreational and commercial fishing; undermining levees, docks and environmental restoration activities; impeding navigation and enjoyment of the state's waterways; and damaging native habitats and the species that depend on them. As the ease of transporting organisms across the Americas and around the globe has increased, so has the rate of AIS introductions.

• Planning is Everything: HACCP Planning for Natural Resource Pathways

This course manual was adapted from “Aquatic Nuisance Species—Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (ANS—HACCP) Training Curriculum,” which was developed by the National Sea Grant College Program (Michigan and Minnesota) for training and education, especially for wild baitfish harvesters and fish farmers.  Further, the Sea Grant proceedings were adapted from the HACCP training and education curriculum developed by the National Seafood HACCP Alliance.

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Planning (HACCP) - Reducing the risk of spreading invasive species in natural resource activity pathways.

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Planning (HACCP) for Water Quality Monitors (VIDEO)

• Slides from above presentation https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/monitoring_council/collaboration_network/docs/haccp_aug2012.pdf

(USF&WS) Ecological Risk Screening Summaries (ERSS)

• What are Ecological Risk Screening Summaries and Why Are They Important?
• Invasive species cause incredible harm to the environment and cost billions of dollars to state and federal governments and private industry. Although many species introductions happen each year, only some will cause harm and become invasive.

Invasive Species Risk Assessment and Planning (ISRAP) is a tool that manages the risk of moving non-targets (non-target = anything that you are not intending on moving from one place to the next) in natural resource management activities. The first step in the risk management process is to conduct a risk assessment of potential pathways (A pathway is an activity or process through which a species may be transferred to a new location where it could become introduced). The risk assessment determines the significance of potentially moving species to an area where they may become invasive. Once it is determined that a pathway poses a significant risk, then a plan is implemented to reduce this risk. The plan is created using the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) planning process.

As part of campaigns to help prevent the spread of invasive by increasing awareness, HACCP has become a recognizable brand. HACCP training workshops, a website, and an international standard have been created. The ISRAP process takes advantage of this pre-existing HACCP brand and planning process (with a few modifications) and combines them with the risk assessment to create a tool that is focused on preventing the spread of invasive species.

Invasive Species Risk Assessment and Planning (ISRAP): A New Tool for Managing the Risk of Moving Aquatic Invasive Species in Natural Resource Monitoring and Management Activities

• Invasive Species Risk Assessment and Planning (ISRAP) (VIDEO)

• Slides from above presentation https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/monitoring_council/collaboration_network/docs/thompson081210.pdf\
• ISRAP Forms
• RAM for Aquatic Activities
• RAM for Terrestrial Activities
• Critical Control Point Decision Tree

Erick Burres

Clean Water Team Coordinator

California Water Quality Collaboration Network Facilitator

Safe to Swim Network Co-facilitator

Email: erick.burres@waterboards.ca.gov

Phone: 213 712 6862 mobile

Mailing address: Erick Burres – Clean Water Team C/O SARWQCB - 3737 Main Street, Suite 500, Riverside, CA 92501