Guidelines to Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species
Based on Guidelines by the Recreational Activities Committee of the ANS Task Force in 2000 and the National Habitattitude Campaign
Guidelines revised based on input of members of the Great Lakes Panel (April 2010) and members of the Great Lakes Panel Information/Education Committee (June 2010)
*Regulations vary by state and region. Please check for local laws and guidelines before operating in unfamiliar waters.
Approval Pending by: Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species
Boaters and Anglers
BEFORE launching…BEFORE leaving:
- Inspect and remove aquatic plants, fish, animals, and mud from boat, motor, trailer, and equipment
- Drain water from boat, motor, bilge, livewell, and bait containers
- Dispose of unwanted live bait, fish parts, and worms in the trash
- Spray/rinse boat and equipment with high pressure or hot (120F/50C or higher)water on your way home or at home, OR
- Dry everything for at least five days before going to another water
Sailboaters/Sailors
BEFORE launching…BEFORE leaving:
- Inspect and remove aquatic plants, animals and mud from hull, centerboard and bilgeboard wells, rudderpost area, and trailer
- Drain water from motor and bilge
- Spray/rinse watercraft and equipment with high pressure or hot water (120F/50C or higher), OR
- Dry everything for at least 5 days before going to another water
Personal Watercraft Users
At the water access before leaving:
- Avoid running engine through aquatic plants
- Push or winch the watercraft onto the trailer without running engine
On the trailer:
- Run engine for 5-10 seconds to blow out excess water and vegetation from internal drive, then turn off engine
- Inspect and remove aquatic plants, animals and mud from water intake grate, steering nozzle, watercraft hull, and trailer
- Wash/rinse watercraft and equipment with high pressure or hot water (120F/50C or higher), OR
- Dry everything for at least 5 days before going to another water
Scuba Divers
BEFORE diving…BEFORE leaving:
- Inspect and remove aquatic plants, animals, and mud from gear including wetsuits, masks, snorkels, boat, motor, and trailer
- Drain water from buoyancy compensator (bc), regulator, tank boot, boat and trailer
- Spray/rinse suit and inside of bc with hot water (120F/50C or higher) or salted water (1/2 cup/gallon) followed by a clean freshwater rinse, OR
- Dry everything for at least 5 days before going to another water
Seaplane Operators
Before take-off:
- Inspect and remove aquatic plants, animals and mud from floats, rudders, cables, transom, chine, wheel wells, and step area
- Pump water from floats
- Avoid taxiing through heavy growths of aquatic plants
- Raise and lower rudders several times to free aquatic plants
After take-off:
- Raise and lower rudders while over waters you are leaving or over land – if plants remain, return to that waterbody to remove
Regular Maintenance:
Use one or more method below:
- Spray/rinse floats with high pressure or hot water (120F/50C or higher)
- Scrub/scrape undersides of floats (when spraying or drying is not possible), especially if moored for more than a day
- Dry floats by storing aircraft on land for at least 5 days before going to another water
Waterfowl Hunters
BEFORE hunting…AFTER hunting:
- Inspect and remove aquatic plants, animals, and mud from boat, motor, trailer, waders or hip boots, decoy lines, and anchors*
- Drain water motor, livewell and bilge
- Spray/rinse watercraft and equipment with high pressure or hot water (120F/50C or higher), especially if moored for more than a day, OR
- Dry everything for at least 5 days before going to another water
* use elliptical, bulb-shaped or strap anchors on decoys to help avoid snagging aquatic plants
Aquarists and Water Gardeners*
Alternatives to release:
- Contact a retailer for proper handling advice or possible returns
- Give or trade with another aquarist, pond owner, or water gardener
- Donate to a local aquarium society, school, or aquatic business
- Seal aquatic plants in plastic bags and dispose in the trash
- Contact a veterinarian or pet retailer for guidance on humane disposal of animals
* guidelines developed by Habitattitude campaign
Note: Use guidelines in accordance with appropriate local, state, provincial and federal regulations