How do aquatic invasive species affect you?
Aquatic invasive species affect everyone that uses our waters, including boaters, shoreline property owners and anglers. These invaders can:
* Clog boat engines and jam steering equipment which may lead to expensive repairs;
* Clog cottage water intake lines;
* Choke lakes and waterways and restrict use by boaters and swimmers;
* Reduce the numbers of popular sportfish;
* Foul fishing gear;
* Reduce populations of native fish, clams, waterfowl and other species that inhabit our waters;
* Degrade the naturel beauty of our lakes and waterways;
* Reduce waterfront property values.
Boaters and Anglers – You can help!
Here are some easy steps to follow in order to reduce transmission of invasive species in our lakes and waterways
| 1. |
Inspect your boat, motor, trailer and boating equipment such as anchors and fishing gear, centerboards, rollers and axles. Remove any zebra mussels and other animals and plants that are visible before leaving any waterbody; |
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| 2. |
Drain water from the motor, live well, bilge and transom wells while on land immediately before leaving the waterbody; |
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| 3. |
Empty your bait bucket on land, far away from the waterplan, before leaving any body of water.
Never realease live baits into water, or release aquatic animals or water from one water body to another one. Respect rules applicables to baits in your fishing area. |
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| 4. |
Wash and dry your boat, tackle, downriggers, trailer and other boating equipment to kill harmfull species that were not visible at the boat launch. Some aquatic species can survive more than two weeks out of the water. Therefore, it is
very important to use one of these cleaning methods:
| i. |
Rinse and brush your boat and equipment that normally gets wet with hot tap water (greater than 40°C) or, |
| ii. |
Spay your boat and trailerwith high pressure water (250psi) or, |
| iii. |
Dry your boat and equipment in the sun for at least 5 days before transporting them to another body of water. |
| iv. |
Let small equipment soak in a solution of 1% salt for 24 hours or in a solution of 100% vinegar for 20 minutes. |
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| 5. |
Use a washing station if available, before you launch your boat in a new body of water. |