| What
You Can Do To Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species
There
are many ways by which non-native species may be introduced into
Washington waters. Sometimes species migrate into new areas over
time, or they may be carried into other areas by natural events,
such as el nino's or flooding. However, many introductions are related
to human activities. Some non-native species have been introduced
for aquaculture, such as the Pacific oyster. When the Pacific oyster
was introduced other species came along, or hitchhiked, with it.
The Manilla clam, which proved to also be a beneficial aquacultural
species, and the oyster drill, which is a predatory nuisance species.
Not all "deliberate" introductions are on such a large scale, and
sometimes introductions of a small number of species can cause very
large problems.
Never
release live pets, plants, bait, or seafood products:
- The
release of aquarium or terrarium pets or plants - the agency
has had to poison lakes in the past due to the presence of large
populations of goldfish. Many lakes, rivers, and streams have
such heavy infestations of Eurasian water milfoil that they are
no longer usable for swimming, fishing, or boating.
- The
release or escape of animals or plants used in research or education
- science kits sent to elementary or middle schools sometimes
contain live non-native animals and/or plants such as crayfish,
Brazilian elodea or Eurasian water milfoil.
- The
release or improper disposal of live seafood or the material it
is packed in - it is possible that Spartina was introduced
with shipments of live aquacultural products.
- The
spread of aquatic plants or animals from one water body to another
on a boat or boat trailer - IT IS
ILLEGAL to have any aquatic plants
on a boat or trailer on any road in Washington State. Always
clean your boat before leaving a launch site.
- The
release of unused bait - always dispose of all live bait at
an appropriate upland site.
- Clean
Your Boat Before You Float - Aquatic plants and animals
are often inadvertently moved from waterbody to another by trailered
boats. It is important to remove all visible plant or animal materials
from your boat, motor, trailer of other equipment, and to drain
all of the water from bilges and live wells away from the water
body. Transporting aquatic plants on your equipment on any state
or public road, including forest roads, is a misdemeanor. [RCW
77.15.290 (4) and (5).]
The
websites below will provide you with more information on what you
can do to stop the introduction and spread of invasive non-native
species:
The
discharge of ballast water from other ports, both foreign and domestic,
is another source for the introduction of non- native invasive species.
The Washington State Legislature has passed a law that requires
water from other ports to be "exchanged" for open ocean water or
treated before it can be discharged into state waters. The Department
of Fish and Wildlife enacts and enforces the law. More information
can be found on the ballast
water website.
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