Science activity

The Marine Invasive Species Program (MISP) is responsible for analysis of shipping vectors (pathways) responsible for the introduction of non-indigenous species (NIS) into California's coastal waters. MISP has partnered with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) and Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML) to undertake an extensive program to analyze spatial and temporal patterns of NIS invasions in marine and estuarine waters of California. MISP collaborates with the California State Lands Commission (CSLC) to regulate and minimize the introduction of Nonindigenous Species (NIS) into California by ocean-going vessels. MISP is partners with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) to conduct biological surveys monitoring the coastal waters of California to determine the level of invasion by NIS;and San Jose State University's Moss Landing Marine Labs (MLML) to conduct genetic analysis of NIS. The California Ballast Water Management Act of 1999 initiated baseline surveys by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to document the distribution of nonindigenous species in the state's coastal and estuarine waters.