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INVASIVE SPECIES
Hit the Throttle or Crank the Winch?
Are you giving invasive
species a free ride? It
could cost you!
Invasive species such as zebra mussels and Eurasian milfoil like to hitch
rides on boats, trailers, trim tabs and propellers. If you aren't careful,
these critters can easily go with you as you travel from one waterbody to another.
State and local governments are taking notice. To protect waterways from invasive
species, fines and boat inspections are becoming more common. Some officials
in California have gone so far as to close reservoirs to boats from out of
state or from areas where invasives have been found.
With reservoirs closing and fines for launching a boat with invasive plants
as much as $5,000 in some states, boaters need to take the threat of invasive
species seriously.
Invasive species are plants and animals that are introduced into ecosystems
where they are not naturally found. In new surroundings, these organisms lack
the predators and competitors that normally keep their populations in check.
Arriving in the United States often by hitching rides in the ballast water
of ocean-going commercial ships, these invasive species, once established,
spread rapidly and are nearly impossible to control, creating a costly burden
for municipalities, water treatment plants and waterway users.
Recreational boaters can follow a few simple steps to help stop the spread
of invasive species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Coast
Guard recommend the following practices to protect your favorite fishing and
boating spots from an unwanted invasion:
- After a day on the
water remove any visible vegetation, animals, mud and dirt from your
boat, trailer, anchor, fishing gear and all equipment exposed to the water
while you are at the launch ramp. Even plant fragments and dirt may contain
tiny hitchhikers.
- Drain
water from motors, jet drives, live wells, bilge, boat hulls, boots and
waders at the launch ramp. If you wait until you get home to empty water,
it can run into the curbside storm drain, which could contaminate local
waters.
- When
possible, clean your equipment, including your boat's live wells and
bilge, with hot water (at least 104¡ F). If not using hot water,
wash thoroughly using a pressure washer or a hose with a spray nozzle.
- Make
sure that your boat and other equipment are allowed to dry for at least
five days before using it in a different waterway.
- Be
aware of any bait regulations, and do not use live bait in waters where
it is prohibited. Do not release unused live bait into the waters you
are fishing; dump it into a trash can.
Get into the habit of cleaning your boat and gear every time you travel from
one body of water to another-even if you think the waterway is free of invasive
species. Some organisms are so small you may not even realize they're hitching
a ride with you. A few minutes of cleaning before leaving the launch ramp could
save your favorite boating spot from an invasion and save you thousands of
dollars in fines.
To learn more about invasive species, visit www.BoatUS.com/foundation or visit
www.cleanboats.org to take a short quiz and enter to win prizes.
- Susan Shingledecker
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