I got a letter from the TWPD. Here is what it said:
The Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) is pleased to invite you to attend a workshop to discuss the issue of aquatic species release in Houston. The goal of the workshop is to bring together representatives from the aquatic species industry, TPWD, and academia to discuss the development of a scorecard that assesses the invasive potential of aquatic species and possible linkages to outreach and education strategies to reduce the release of potentially invasive species into waters of the Upper Texas Coast.
In 2011, HARC led the initial phase of a TPWD-funded project that focused on developing a methodology to determine the potential of aquarium species availability, release and survival in Houston waterways, specifically analyzing socio-cultural and economic drivers of the introduction of aquatic species. A workshop was held at the University of Houston in April 2011. The Phase 1 Executive Summary of the final report and summary presentation are attached.
Phase 2 of the project applies the results of the 2011 work to develop an invasion potential scorecard that quantifies aquarium species’ market availability potential, release potential and survival and reproduction potential.
HARC will present the draft scorecard and seek input for further refinement and application to education and outreach strategies. All ideas and discussion points generated at the workshop will be captured and incorporated into a follow-up white paper that will be provided to all participants.
If any of you have strong opinions, please voice them here and I'll carry them forward. Likewise, PM me your email address if you want a copy of the executive summary.
-Tim
The Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) is pleased to invite you to attend a workshop to discuss the issue of aquatic species release in Houston. The goal of the workshop is to bring together representatives from the aquatic species industry, TPWD, and academia to discuss the development of a scorecard that assesses the invasive potential of aquatic species and possible linkages to outreach and education strategies to reduce the release of potentially invasive species into waters of the Upper Texas Coast.
In 2011, HARC led the initial phase of a TPWD-funded project that focused on developing a methodology to determine the potential of aquarium species availability, release and survival in Houston waterways, specifically analyzing socio-cultural and economic drivers of the introduction of aquatic species. A workshop was held at the University of Houston in April 2011. The Phase 1 Executive Summary of the final report and summary presentation are attached.
Phase 2 of the project applies the results of the 2011 work to develop an invasion potential scorecard that quantifies aquarium species’ market availability potential, release potential and survival and reproduction potential.
HARC will present the draft scorecard and seek input for further refinement and application to education and outreach strategies. All ideas and discussion points generated at the workshop will be captured and incorporated into a follow-up white paper that will be provided to all participants.
If any of you have strong opinions, please voice them here and I'll carry them forward. Likewise, PM me your email address if you want a copy of the executive summary.
-Tim
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