National Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Strategy and Action Plan.

The National IAS Strategy and Action Plan (NISSAP) provides guidance to protect its natural heritage and people’s health and livelihoods from the negative impacts of invasive species. The objectives to cope with invasive species are to: (i) prevent new invasive or potentially invasive species from arriving and becoming established; and (ii) taking actions against existing priority invasive species at priority sites. The timeframe of this policy is 10 years covering the period from 2020 to 2030. The NISSAP lays down strategies to prevent new incursions, contain existing populations and adaptively manage widespread species. It promotes collective management where all relevant stakeholders contribute to minimize the impacts of invasive species in Antigua and Barbuda.
The NISSAP addresses the significant impacts of invasive plants, animals and pathogens on the environmental, cultural, social and economic values of Antigua and Barbuda, such as: loss of biodiversity, reduced farm productivity, harm to livestock and damage to cultural heritage sites. Biosecurity system will be established to stop new invasive alien species and reduce the impacts of existing ones. Potential invasive species threats will be identified through pathway analysis and risk assessments gathered from other countries and appropriate pre-border and at border interventions will be developed for priority invasive species. Surveys and monitoring systems will be implemented to generate baseline information on the status and distribution of invasive species and a programme will be established for detecting change. The national risk assessment systems will be established for invasive terrestrial, freshwater and marine species. Priority will be given to small populations of recently arrived invasive species for their eradication and species-specific management plans will be developed. Biocontrol agents will be identified for priority species. The legal frameworks will be reviewed, especially in the fields of trade and tourism. Invasive species laws, regulations, and protocols will be streamlined, aligned, and optimized to enhance management and effectiveness.
Public awareness will be raised on the negative impacts of invasive species on the environment, biodiversity, economy and livelihoods. Mechanisms will be developed to include IAS in decision making processes in Antigua. Training and institutional capacity needs will be identified and training programs for key invasive management issues will be developed and implemented. The national and regional identification, management and information tools for IAS will be improved to reflect country needs.
Measures will be taken against new incursions or spread of existing species through early detection and rapid response to reduce ecological, economic and financial impacts. The monitoring, reporting and recording of invasive species will be improved to track the threats posed by new and established invasive species and guide the management response. Risk assessment will be conducted to identify invasive or potentially invasive species before they are introduced, estimate the actual and potential impact of an invasive, and assist in identifying and prioritizing essential actions to reduce adverse effects and manage the invasive species.
The NISSAP outlines invasive species management strategies, emphasizing the National IAS Steering Committee's roles and responsibilities, while detailing actions by ministry staff to manage public land and support residents and community groups in mitigating impacts on private land.