For Anglers & Boaters

Live non-native bait has been introduced to our waterways, leading to invasive species such as the rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) and the European green crab (Carcinus maenas). Non-invasive bait that is transported from other places may also have packaging that is accidentally contaminated with potential invasive species.

Take Action: Instead of dumping your unused bait in the water, throw it out in the trash.

When unwanted aquariums are dumped into marine and fresh water bodies, not only can they introduce the fish, amphibians and invertebrates that were once considered pets, but also many of the aquatic plants and diseases the aquarium also contained. 

Take action: If you have an aquarium you can no longer care for, make a plan to re-home it.  Donate it to a local school, see if your pet store is willing to take them back, or see if other aquarium enthusiasts are willing to adopt it. Otherwise, dispose of the tank and all of its contents in the trash. 

Animals like snakehead fish (Channa sp.) and chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis),  were initially brought over for the food industry. They have since escaped through dumping or accidental release and now wreak havoc in our fresh and marine water bodies respectively. 

Take Action: If you see these aquatic invasive animals in our waterways, please report them using the link above.

Defined as the accumulation of marine matter on a ship’s hull – commercial and recreational alike. Invasive algaes and molluscs can get established and spread in this way. This pathway does not only transport invasive species, but can diminish the performance of the vessel, reduce the vessel speed and requires time and money to eliminate the unwanted organisms.

Take action: Cleaning, draining, and drying your boat before moving it to a new body of water, and/or regularly cleaning your boat after traveling to and from different ports.

To compensate for weight lost by using fuel or unloading cargo, ships take in water from a port to increase stability and maneuverability. As they take up this water, they may also take up any aquatic plants and animals present. This water and any of its contents are then released when a ship arrives at a port to fuel up or load up new cargo. Invasive species such as zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) likely got their start through ballast water dumping.

Action taken: Now, all international vessels must exchange filled ballast tanks or flush ‘empty’ ones while crossing the Atlantic Ocean prior to discharging into new water bodies, a procedure that appears to substantially reduce the risk of introducing new aquatic invasive species.

Private and public gardens may be planted with aquatic invasive plants, as they can withstand shipping conditions and establish reliably. Invasive aquatic plants such as water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) and water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes) are often sold for aquatic horticulture for this reason. 

Take Action: If you have a water garden with aquatic invasive plants, consider replacing them with native ones.