INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT WORKING GROUP

They agreed the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan would include chemical and non-chemical controls, with the goal of minimizing chemical use and maximizing the effectiveness. They also established a IPM Working Group with representatives from the Departments of Agriculture, Natural Resources, Commerce, Washington Sea Grant, the Conservation Commission. The Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe is now represented in the group... To inform this process, the IPM Working Group has commissioned several studies to develop a replacement for imidacloprid and create the framework for a new IPM plan. The initial stages of this research included lab studies to identify potential low toxicity insecticides or repellents that may be implemented into an IPM. Studies to better understand burrowing shrimp populations, density, and recruitment patterns... Burrowing Shrimp are threatening critical estuaries, and Washington's shellfish farming industry as a whole.