Resolution from Commissioner Robert Gourd, International Joint Commission on aquatic invasive species

Whereas, aquatic invasive species are known to cause damage to bodies of water in transboundary river basins, harming the ecological integrity, biological diversity and economic health of these nations’ transboundary waters; and

Whereas, new aquatic invasive species are continuously being discovered throughout transboundary basin regions; and

Whereas, while local government administrators can and have taken steps aimed at prohibiting the release of aquatic invasive species in transboundary river basins, local government administrators alone do not have the authority or the resources to adequately address aquatic invasive species; and

Therefore, be it resolved, that the International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO) urges their member countries’ governmental administrators responsible for effective implementation of integrated water management at the level of river basins to take steps within their authority to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species within their shared transboundary waters.