The symposium will examine progress under the U.S. National Invasive Species Act and assess the current state of, and prospects for, prevention and control programs. A special focus will be placed on research and policy developments and needs for ballast management in commercial vessels. Symposium participants will make recommendations on new directions in research, detection and monitoring, and regulatory and other management needs as reauthorization of the Act approaches. The symposium is being organized in cooperation with the Commission-staffed Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species, which coordinates regional prevention and control efforts. The panel will hold its spring meeting immediately following the symposium on May 18.
All events are open to the public.
The registration fee is waived for members of the press. Lawrence region and its residents. The Commission consists of state legislators, agency officials and governors appointees from its eight member states. Associate membership for Ontario and Qu bec was established through the signing of a Declaration of Partnership. The Commission maintains a formal Observer program involving U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, tribal authorities, binational agencies and other regional interests.