Friday, August 6, 2010

Attention Boaters and Anglers: Don't Spread Invasive Species! - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation

 

Attention Boaters and Anglers: Don't Spread Invasive Species!

Boat trailer with aquatic invasive plants hanging off of it
Boats, along with boating and fishing equipment, can transport
undesirable invasive species.

Boats, trailers, waders and other fishing and boating equipment can spread invasive species from waterbody to waterbody unless properly cleaned, dried or disinfected after use. Although some invasive species such as water milfoil are readily visible to the human eye, many others are too small to be readily noticed. To avoid spreading invasive species please follow the following guidelines:

INSPECT your boating and fishing equipment for invasive species. Outboard motor props, depth finder transducers and even fishing lures are great places for invasive species to attach.

Inspecting a boat for invasive species
Inspect your boat for attached plants and animals.

Examples of fishing and boating gear that have collected invasive plants.
Motor props and fishing lures all provide convenient
locations for invasive plants and animals.

REMOVE any visible mud, plants, fish or animals before transporting equipment. Discard items in an upland area or in one of the invasive species disposal stations that have been installed at many boat launch sites for your convenience.

Picking weeds off of a boat and trailer.
Remove all invasive species from your boat and equipment.

Picking weeds from an anchor.
Don't forget equipment such as
anchors and other gear.

Nuisance Invasive Species Disposal Station
Invasive species disposal stations, installed at
many DEC boat launches, provide a convenient
location to dispose of the invasive species you
remove from your boating and fishing equipment.

CLEAN & DRY anything that comes into contact with water including boats, trailers, waders, bait buckets and other boating and fishing equipment. Boaters should be particularly aware of baitwells, livewells and bilge areas that are difficult to dry.

Equipment that should be dried to prevent spreading invasive species.
Dry all your equipment before using in another body of water.

Draining a boat before leaving the access site.
Drain your boat before you leave the access site!

DISINFECT your boating and fishing equipment with a disinfectant if it cannot be dried before it is used in another body of water.

Attention Boaters and Anglers: Don't Spread Invasive Species! - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation

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