All watercraft are potential vectors for spreading aquatic nuisance species. Many kinds of aquatic pests, including both plants and animals, are easily carried to new habitat by trailered boats. Thus, voluntary boat and trailer inspections, particularly by boaters themselves, are an essential part of preventing the inadvertent transfer of nuisance species from one water body to the next.

The Western Regional Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species leads an effort to prevent the westward spread of zebra mussels and other ANS in North America. Voluntary boat inspections and boater surveys have been fundamental to this Initiative. For more information on voluntary boat inspections and boater surveys please visit the 100th Meridian Initiative's website at http://100thmeridian.org.

The 100th Meridian Initiative is one of many partners of the federal "Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers" campaign. Other partners include numerous federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), schools, commercial businesses, and recreational clubs. For more information, please visit http://www.protectyourwaters.net.