In simple terms, Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) are aquatic and terrestrial organisms, introduced into new habitats throughout the United States and other areas of the world, that produce harmful impacts on aquatic natural resources in these ecosystems and on the human use of these resources.
 The Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to preventing and controlling aquatic nuisance species, and implementing the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act (NANPCA) of 1990. The various NANPCA mandates were expanded later with the passage of the National Invasive Species Act (NISA) in 1996. The Task Force consists of 13 Federal agency representatives and 12 Ex-officio members, and is co-chaired by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Task force coordinates governmental efforts dealing with ANS in the U.S. with those of the private sector and other North American interests via regional panels and issue specific committees and work group.
 ANSTF Research Risk Assessment Protocol
Risk Assessment & Management Committee
Highlighted Regional Products:
Northeast Aquatic Nuisance Species Panel: Online Guide to Aquatic Invasive Species in Northeastern North America
The NEANS Online Guide provides information about invasive species that threaten northeastern North America and allows you and your organization to create customized field guides. Browse the site and learn about a wide variety of marine and freshwater invasive species and how to identify them. Then head to the water with your customized field guide and help stem the tide of invasive species by participating in spread prevention and early detection efforts to detect and prevent new invasions.
Online Guide to Aquatic Invasive Species in Northeastern North America.
Western Regional Panel: Quagga/Zebra Mussel Action Plan
The goal of the QZAP is to summarize current strategies to address the invasion of zebra and quagga mussels in the West, and to identify and prioritize the specific actions that are needed to comprehensively prevent the further spread of these mussels, respond to new infestations, and manage existing infestations.
Have you seen anything unusual? If so, we want to hear from you. An Aquatic Nuisance Species reporting system sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geological Survey is available to Report ANS Sightings Online, or call our toll-free number, 1-877-STOP-ANS, to speak to a live person at any time, day or night.
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