Introduction

The Southeastern region of the United States, with its temperate and subtropical climates and abundance of surface waters, has the largest number of nonindigenous aquatic species having been introduced into its often hospitable waters.  In addition, over a thousand miles of coastline and many large commercial ports increase the probably for introductions from ship hull fouling and ballast water dumping. Four of the top ten US ports by tonnage are located in this region, more specifically in Louisiana. Other high-ranking large ports in the region include Mobile, Alabama, Savannah, Georgia, and Tampa and Miami, Florida. Ship hull fouling and ballast water dumping are most likely responsible for a majority of the marine introductions.  Other methods of introduction include stock contamination, bait bucket releases, escapes from aquaculture facilities, and stocking of gamefish for sportfishing. It is generally recognized that many introductions occur where organisms do not survive because of inhospitable environments. Some of the introductions in this report fall into that category while others become established and can have large or small impacts.

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