The NATIONAL AQUATIC NUISANCE SPECIES CLEARINGHOUSE was started by New York Sea Grant in August 1990 as the Zebra Mussel Information Clearinghouse. Its mission was expanded in 1997 to include other freshwater nonindigenous aquatic nuisance species, and again in October 1998 to include important marine aquatic nuisance species, as well.

The mission of the Clearinghouse is:

• To facilitate and coordinate sharing of aquatic nuisance and invasive species information among policy-makers and researchers at all levels of academia, government, and private industry
• To provide continuity to the timely dissemination of findings of aquatic nuisance and invasive species research
• To facilitate technology transfer between aquatic nuisance and invasive species researchers and end user audiences
• To focus attention on the need for additional research and outreach to enhance the fight against other aquatic nuisance and invasive species, and
• To provide a convenient means of access to the wide body of knowledge pertaining to aquatic nuisance and invasive species via the World Wide Web

Funding

Funding for the Clearinghouse is provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, New York Sea Grant, public and private electric generation and drinking water treatment utilities, private industry, state and provincial agencies, and other interested parties throughout North America.