More Resources

Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force

National Invasive Species Council

Find out about invasive species in your state

National Invasive Species Awareness Week

What is an invasive species? (and why you should care!)

National Invasive Species Awareness Week

February 29, 2012

Lionfish and zebra mussels are problematic aquatic invaders along U.S. coasts. How lionfish will affect native fish populations and commercial fishing industries along the Atlantic coast has yet to be determined. Zebra mussels are known to cost the United States billions of dollars each year through economic losses and control costs.

Did you know that it's National Invasive Species Awareness Week? Invasive species are a big problem in the U.S. and around the world. Non-native animals and plants can harm both the natural resources in an ecosystem as well as threaten human use of these resources.

Invasive species reduce biodiversity, compete with native organisms for limited resources, and alter habitats—they can even cause extinctions of native plants and animals! This equates to huge economic impacts and major disruptions of coastal and Great Lakes ecosystems. Take a few minutes out of your day to learn more about aquatic invasive species.

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