Courtesy of the West Coast Ballast Outreach Project

Nonindigenous Species (NIS)

Also known as “introduced”, “exotic” or “alien” species, nonindigenous species in aquatic ecosystems may be transported to new regions through various human activities.  In coastal environments, commercial shipping has been one of the most important mechanisms for invasion.  Once established, NIS can cause ecological, economic and human health problems in the receiving environment.  

The Marine Invasive Species Program

The Marine Invasive Species Program strives to prevent nonindigenous species release from commercial vessels to California waters.  The program was begun in 1999 with the passage of California’s Ballast Water Management for Control of Nonindigenous Species Act, which addressed the threat of species introductions through ships’ ballast water during a time when federal regulations were not mandatory.  In 2003, the Marine Invasive Species Act (MISA) was passed, reauthorizing and expanding the 1999 Act.  Subsequent  amendments to MISA and additional legislation has further expanded the scope of the Program to include research, management and policy development related to vessel fouling and ballast water treatment technologies.

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