Help Prevent the Spread of Invasive Species

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Being on the water teaches you to keep your head on a swivel. You have to mind your wake as much as you have to keep an eye on what’s ahead of you and around you. Being a responsible member of the boating community at large requires a similar 360-degree view. It’s so much more than the actual boating.

No matter what kind of boating you’re into, you—every boater, really—have a stake in caring for the waterways. That’s especially the case when it comes to how to prevent the spread of invasive species. But what are invasive species? Why is it so important to keep them from spreading? What can individual boat owners do? 

Invasive Species and the Harm They Do

Invasive species are non-native species of plants and organisms that have moved into an area that isn’t part of their natural range. That means they have no natural predators or checks on their growth in the new area. They can hitch a ride on watercraft of all types and sizes. They can attach themselves to the hull or engine. Invasive species can hide on fishing gear or in livewells. On larger craft, they can hide in ballast water. When they take up residence in new areas, they often wreak havoc on the natural ecosystem.

Invasive species are more common in areas that are transportation hubs and along trade routes. Areas of Florida, California, and the Great Lakes are especially problematic, but invasive species can be found in waterways from Alaska to California and from Texas to Maine. Prominent examples include lionfish, zebra and quagga mussels, and the northern snakehead.

What You Can do Prevent the Spread of Invasive Species

Invasive species aren’t easy to spot, especially the tiny larvae. That is why tried-and-true procedures such as simply cleaning your boat are so important in containing them. Take the following measures to do your part.

Inspect Your Boat

Before you leave the water access area, conduct a careful inspection of your boat. Check your hull, engine, propeller, trailer, gear, and clothing. Check your dog. Yes, our furry friends have been known to pick up the odd invasive species on their coats or collars. Any sign of plants, mussels, or other small organisms should be promptly removed and deposited in a trash container designated for the task. Take extra care to check nooks and crannies and harder-to-access spaces, as well as anchors and the boat cover.

Drain Water

Drain all water from your boat. This includes bilge water, ballast tanks, and especially livewells. It only takes a small amount of water to harbor an invasive species. The tiny spiny water flea devastated the natural zooplankton ecosystem of the Great Lakes, which affects species right up the food chain. Also, make sure you drain the motor, cooling system, and any other compartments that might retain water.

Clean Your Boat and Gear

Thoroughly clean your boat, trailer, and gear with a pressure washer—with hot water if possible. Studies have shown that using high-pressure water of 900 to 1200 psi removed 90 percent of biological material from most boat surfaces. Exposure to water of 140 degrees Fahrenheit for as little as 10 seconds bumped that figure to nearly 100 percent.

Dry Your Boat and Gear Thoroughly

Allow your boat, trailer, and gear to dry completely before you launch in a different body of water. According to that same study, air-drying a boat for 60 hours or longer was sufficient to kill any remaining zebra mussels or spiny water fleas. It might take up to six days or more for plants or snails to expire. At any rate, hot-water exposure followed by air drying was found to be the most effective method.

Dispose of Debris Properly

Should you encounter any suspicious organic material, place it in a designated disposal receptacle or other trash station at the staging area. Tossing critters or invasive plants back in the water just gives them another lease on life and an opportunity to spread.

Follow Local Regulations

Different areas may have different issues with particular plants and organisms. Educate yourself on local requirements if you’re boating in a new place. The invasive species that are currently devastating various waterways were introduced through ignorance, not maliciousness. So make sure you’re not damaging the waterways you love by being neglectful.

Tell Others How They Can Prevent the Spread of Invasive Species

If you love the water, you should fight to protect it. That includes spreading the word about how all boaters can do their part to prevent the spread of invasive species. Invasive species destroy the delicate balance individual waterways have evolved over the course of time. They ruin fish stocks, choke out pristine waterways, and wreck local economies. Take two minutes to talk to fellow boat owners about how they can help.

Are you perhaps ready for a new boat on which to stage your on-the-water adventures? Check out Boatmart’s nationwide selection of new and pre-owned boats.

Kurt Brighton

Kurt Brighton earned a degree in journalism at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He has covered health, film, politics, travel, and more. His lifelong love of the outdoors was cultivated among the forests, lakes, and rivers of the continental divide. Kurt lived for a number of years in the port city of Valparaiso, Chile, and has spent extensive time exploring the coasts of Spain, Italy, and Croatia.

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