IMIS

Rapid Assessment Survey (RAS) Program. A RAS is conducted by a team of marine species experts to identify both native and introduced species found at selected sites. The goal of an RAS is to make a quick assessment of introduced species present and use this information to document their distribution and collect environmental data. Surveys were conducted in 2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2010. In 2000, the RAS was conducted in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. In 2003, the RAS was expanded to include most of the Northeast U.S. from Maine to New York City. In addition to species samples, ancillary environmental data such as water temperature and salinity are also taken. The 2000 and 2003 surveys provide a baseline of species in fouling communities and, for those monitored over time, show the changes in introduced and cryptogenic populations versus the native populations. This allows scientists to analyze the spread of the species and predict future changes in the marine population. The introduced species may impact local communities. According to the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force website over 15% of introduced species cause serious harm; introduced species negatively impact at least 42% of endangered species; and the cost associated with major introduced species in the USA alone is on the order of $100 billion per year (Lee 2002; Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force).