Marine Invasive Species Program

The Marine Invasive Species Program is a world-leading program that reduces the risk of aquatic nonindigenous species introduction into California’s waters. We strive to accomplish this goal through: * The development, implementation, and enforcement of innovative vessel biofouling and vessel ballast water management strategies and policies. * Use of the best available technology and peer-reviewed science. * Partnerships with stakeholders to improve awareness of invasive species issues and assess program efficacy.

The Marine Invasive Species Program works to prevent new species introductions by implementing vessel ballast water and biofouling management requirements that are authorized by the Marine Invasive Species Act. These regulations apply to vessels that are 300 gross registered tons or more and capable of carrying ballast water. The Marine Invasive Species Program is funded through a $1,000 fee on qualifying vessel voyage arrivals. The fee is collected by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.

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Program Updates Program History Why is there concern about nonindigenous species? Other Marine Invasive Species Program agencies

MISP Reporting Portalopens in a new window

Info for Vessels Arriving at CA Ports

Information and Resources

Other Programs & Partners Reports, Research, & Presentations

Data Dashboards

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California Data opens in a new window opens in a new window
Pacific States Data opens in a new window Data Questions?

Laws & Regs

Marine Invasive Species Actopens in a new window California Code of Regulations

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Join our e-list to receive the latest news and information on regulations and upcoming customer service meetings. News, Regulations, and Customer Service Meeting updatesopens in a new window

Contacts

Program Manager
Chris Scianni
562.499.6390
MISP-EPM.Public@slc.ca.gov Ballast Water and Biofouling
Lina Ceballos Osuna
916.574.1864 Raya Nedelcheva
916.574.2568 Jonathan Thompson
916.574.2276 Recordkeeping/Administration
Jackie Mackay
562.499.6312 MISP.Public@slc.ca.gov

Program Updates

Amendments to Article 4.7 of Chapter 1, Division 3, Title 2 of the California Code of Regulations – Readoption of Emergency Regulation

Mar 18, 2026 The California State Lands Commission is implementing an emergency rule that amends Article 4.7 of...

Notice of Modification to Text of Proposed Rulemaking for Article 4.7

Feb 17, 2026 The Commission is initiating a 15-day written comment period for proposed modifications to Article...

2026 Marine Invasive Species Program Updates

Dec 30, 2025 Annual letter to shipping agents and interested parties to provide information about new...

Readoption of Emergency Amendments to Article 4.7

Feb 27, 2026 The California State Lands Commission proposes to readopt emergency regulations that...

Notice of Modification to Text of Proposed Rulemaking for Article 4.5

Feb 9, 2026 The Commission hereby initiates notification of a 15-day written comment period. Comments relevant...

Intern research project: Invasive Species Impacts on Indigenous Communities

Nov 19, 2025 Final research report from Anjali Johnson, a 2024 Marine Invasive Species Program... « Older Entries

Program History

The Program began in 1999 with the passage of California’s Ballast Water Management for Control of Nonindigenous Species Act, which addressed the threat of species introductions from vessels arriving at California’s ports. In 2003, the Marine Invasive Species Act was passed, reauthorizing and expanding the 1999 Act. Subsequent amendments to the Act and additional legislation further expanded the Program’s scope.

Why is there concern about nonindigenous species

Nonindigenous species are organisms that pose significant threats to human health, the economy, and the environment. Nonindigenous species are intentionally or unintentionally transported through human activities to new habitats such as California’s marine, estuarine, and freshwater environments. Once a nonindigenous species is moved, becomes established in a new in geographic location, and causes impacts, it is considered an invasive species. In coastal aquatic habitats, commercial shipping is the major pathway for NIS introductions. Commercial ships transport organisms through ballast water and vessel biofouling. Prevention of species introductions through vector management is considered the most effective way to address invasive species because once established, attempts to eradicate invasive are often unsuccessful and costly.

Ballast Water

Ballast water is used by ships to maintain stability at sea. As ships move throughout the world, they can discharge ballast water and introduce any nonindigenous species that were in the ballast water source. It is estimated that ballast water moves more than 7,000 species around the world on a daily basis (Carlton 1999) with a single vessel ballast water discharge having the potential to release over 21.2 million individual planktonic animals (Minton et al. 2005). Vessels may load, discharge, or redistribute ballast water during cargo loading and unloading, as they encounter rough seas, or as they transit through shallow coastal waterways.

Vessel Biofouling

Vessel biofouling is an organism or a community of organisms that are attached to or associated with a vessel’s hard surfaces that are wet or underwater. Vessel biofouling includes attached organisms such as barnacles, algae, and mussels, and also includes organisms that associate with the attached organisms such as worms, crabs, and amphipods (small shrimp-like animals).Vessels can carry biofouling as they move throughout the world. As vessels move, biofouling organisms can spawn (reproduce) or drop off a vessel resulting in the introduction of NIS. Vessel biofouling is considered one of the most significant vectors for marine nonindigenous species introductions in several regions, including Australia, North America, Hawaii, the North Sea, and California (Ruiz et al. 2000a, 2011, Eldredge and Carlton 2002, Gollasch 2002).

Other Marine Invasive Species Program agencies

California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (Fee Collection)opens in a new window California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Office of Spill Prevention and Responseopens in a new window State Water Resources Control Boardopens in a new window Original text Rate this translation Your feedback will be used to help improve Google Translate