Scientists combine efforts to curb invasive aquatic species

The United States is opening a new centre to study invasive species such as zebra mussels, officials said Tuesday.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said it is establishing a new National Center for Research on Aquatic Invasive Species in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Canadian, U.S. and other researchers will share data on the invaders, which are a growing problem in the Great Lakes.

"Each year, aquatic invasive species wreak billions of dollars in damages on the U.S. economy, much of which is passed on to the consumer," said NOAA administrator Conrad Lautenbacher.

Foreign species are increasingly infesting coastal waters around the world, often entering through ballast water from ships. The weeds and animals often lack predators to keep their numbers in check.

Lautenbacher said Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans has indicated plans for a Canadian Aquatic Invasive Species Research Centre. Canadian officials are interested in co-operating on the studies.

Researchers at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, Md., also said they plan to combine their database on invasive species with an Australian database.

Data from CSIRO Marine Research in Hobart, Australia, and the Smithsonian will help researchers learn more about species that are already causing problems, such as the northern snakehead and the European green crab.