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Discover Your World With NOAA

110

In the late 1860’s, it seemed like a good idea: Let’s 

start a silk industry in the United States! Silk is a valuable cloth, in demand all over the world. And insects 

do most of the work! All we need to do is import some 

Gypsy moths from France, then sit back and wait for 

the money to start rolling in!

So, the moths were imported. Unfortunately, they 

escaped. Today, Gypsy moths are a major threat to U.S. 

forests. 

Gypsy moths are one example of invasive species, and 

there are many more. About 50,000 alien species 

are already in the U.S. What’s the difference between 

“alien” and “invasive?” An alien species is not native 

to a particular ecosystem. If an alien species causes 

economic and/or environmental harm or threatens 

human health, then it is called invasive.

What’s the big deal? Invasive species can seriously threaten native species and 

entire ecosystems. Plus, the costs of environmental damage, economic losses, and 

efforts to control invasive species average $138 billion per year—more than the cost 

of all other natural disasters combined. 

What can be done? NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science are developing a group of experts that can help recognize alien species, hopefully before 

they become invasive. NOAA’s National Sea Grant Office and state fish and wildlife 

agencies are partnering with the pet industry in the HabitattitudeTM Campaign, 

which is about educating consumers about possible environmental consequences of 

aquarium and water garden hobbies, and how to be a responsible hobbyist. In addition, NOAA’s Community-Based Restoration Program works with community groups 

to remove invasive plants as part of projects to repair damaged coastal habitats.

Here’s how to learn a lot about aquatic invaders and have fun at the same time!

Invasive Species Super Sleuth

Lionfish are venomous fish from Indian and western Pacific oceans 

that have invaded East Coast waters Courtesy NOAA.

What You Will Need

Access to the internet.

How to Do It

Play Nab the Aquatic Invader and Be a Sea Grant 

Super Sleuth at www.iiseagrant.org/NabInvader/.

Want to Do More?

1. You can find a LOT more information on invasive species on the Nab the quatic Invaders! 

Be a Sea Grant Super Sleuth website (www.

iiseagrant.org/NabInvader/). Click on 

“Information for Teachers” to go to all kinds 

of good links.

 2. Visit the GloBallast web site archive.iwlearn.net/globallast.imo.org/ and 

watch Invaders from the Sea a very informative IMO-BBC documentary 

about the transfer of harmful organisms in ballast water from ships. You 

can also find it on youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5JkRtMTEdI.

3. Visit oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/invasive.html and www.noaa.gov/

topic-tags/invasive-species and fisheries.noaa.gov/insight/invasive-andexotic-marine-species for even more information!

What You Will Do

Play a game called “Nab the Aquatic Invader!” 

You will be a private investigator working with other detectives 

to catch suspected invaders including 

Louie “Sucker Mouth” Sea Lamprey, Zeke “The Prowler” Zebra Mussel, Purple 

“Lucky” Loosestrife, and Rocco “Ravenous” Ruffe.