Goal 4: Reduce the Populations of Widely Established Invasive Exotic Species and Maintain at Lowest Feasible Levels.

PRIORITY STRATEGIES

Strategy 4C3: Develop and improve tools to assist in the long-term control of invasive exotic species.

Current Activities:

• Continue to implement Invasive Species Research and Information Exchange 2007 (SFWMD)
• Continue to develop methods to produce and refine species-specific large constrictor control tools. (ENP/USGS)
• Continue to conduct Lionfish assessment and control in NPS units. (NPS)
• Development and Evaluation of Biological Control Agents for Invasive Species Threatening the Everglades and other Natural and Managed Systems (USDA)
• Biological Control of Imported Fire Ant (FDACS)
• Enhanced Mitigation Techniques for the Control of Several Whitefly Species (FDACS)
• Interception and research for potential biocontrols of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug FDACS)
• Expansion of Asian Citrus Psyllid Biocontrol (FDACs)
• Tegu trap and lure evaluation (USDA)
• Continue to improve the probability of detection of invasive reptiles (UF)
• Everglades Complex of Wildlife Management Areas' Exotic Plant Control (Everglades & Francis S. Taylor, Holey Land, and Rotenberger) (FWC)  
• Laurel wilt tool development (SFWMD/ USACE/UF)
• Continue radiotelemetric monitoring of Burmese pythons in Collier County to understand opportunities for control  in upland habitats (USGS/ Conservancy of SW FL)
• Burmese python eDNA development and application (USDA-APHIS)
• Python removal authorized agent program for South Florida National Parks (NPS)
• Python Responder/Patrol Training (FWC)
• Thermal infra-red detection of Burmese pythons (USDA/UF)
• Python Chemical Communication/Pheromone Development (USDA)
• Trap and lure evaluation with Burmese pythons (USDA)

Gaps:

• Develop tools for the long-term control of Laurel wilt
• Develop methods to bring IES fish populations into maintenance control
• Biocontrol development for IES
• Detection dogs

Strategy 4C4: Integrate federal, state, and local agency invasive exotic species control programs.

Current Activities:

• ECISMA MOU
• Southwest Florida CISMA Partnership (SWFCISMA)

Gaps:

• Evaluate barriers to cooperative IES control programs
• Develop comprehensive IES governance structure
• Interagency python management plan