Boat U.S. - March 2008 - (Page 55)

goodfoundations ideas for safe, smart, and clean boating Milfoil, Hydrilla and Zebra Mussels, Oh My! They may not sound as scary as lions, tigers and bears, but invasive species such as zebra mussels and Asian carp are making headlines across the country. The threat is real as California banned non-local boats from six reservoirs on Feb. 1. As recreational boaters, we witness the impact of invasive species firsthand as they foul our waterways and harm native fish populations. Invasive species are plants and animals that are introduced into ecosystems where they are not naturally found. In new surroundings, these organisms lack the predators and competitors that normally keep their populations in check. Often hitching rides in the ballast water of oceangoing commercial ships, invasive species, once established, spread rapidly and are nearly impossible to control, creating a costly burden for municipalities, water treatment plants and waterway users. Devastating the food chain in local waters, species such as the round goby eat the eggs of native animals; and zebra mussels filter important nutrients out of the water that support other indigenous species. Invasive plants like purple loosestrife and hydrilla displace native plants essential for local wildlife. Invasive plants can cover the surface of a lake or pond and make it next to impossible to enjoy. Not only are they damaging to local wildlife, and a nuisance to boaters, but also the estimated cost to government agencies of managing and controlling invasive species is well into the billions. To some, the problem seems small; after all, you can’t even see many invasive species. And to many boaters, preventing the spread of these plants and animals is such a daunting task, they wonder how we can possibly make a difference. But the fact is we can make a difference and the time to take action is now. Recreational boaters can follow a few simple steps to help stop the spread of invasive species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Coast Guard recommend the following practices to protect your favorite fishing and boating spots from an unwanted invasion: • After a day on the water, remove any visible vegetation, animals, mud and dirt from your boat, trailer, boots, fishing gear and all Coming Soon to a Fishing Hole Near You! On a chilly winter Saturday with the help of 24 volunteers, the BoatU.S. Foundation turned 700 feet of PVC pipe and over 1,000 pipe fittings into 350 monofilament fishing line recycling bins. These bins will be installed by local volunteers at popular fishing spots around the country to help make it easy for anglers to keep used fishing line out of the water. A non-native round goby. Photo by Brenner, Michigan Sea Grant equipment exposed to the water while you are at the launch ramp. • Drain water from motors, jet drives, live wells, boat hulls, boots and waders at the launch ramp. If you wait until you get home, water can run into the curbside storm drain, and contaminate local waters. • When possible, clean your equipment, including your boat’s live wells and bilge, with hot water. If hot water is not available (at least 104° F), use a hose with a spray nozzle to increase the water pressure. • Make sure that your boat and other equipment are allowed to dry for at least 48 hours before using it in a different waterway. • Do not release unused live bait into the waters you are fishing; dump it into a trash can or on land far away from any water body. Be aware of any bait regulations, and do not use live bait in waters where it is prohibited. Get into the habit of cleaning your boat and gear every time you travel from one body of water to another — even if you think the waterway is free of invasive species. Some organisms are so small you may not even realize they’re hitching a ride. It’s not always easy to do the right thing. Finding a hose, not to mention hot water, at most launch ramps can be challenging. And the rush to pack up and go can be a strong deterrent. But a few minutes of time can help keep your waterway safe and open to recreational boaters, and can save you future headaches at your favorite boating spot. To learn more about invasive species, visit BoatUS.com/foundation or visit www. cleanboats.org to take a short quiz and enter to win prizes. — By Susan Shingledecker BoatU.S. staff pitched in to build line recycling bins. Monofilament fishing line poses a serious threat to wildlife when left in the water, or on the shore or docks. Birds, fish and marine mammals can easily get entangled in discarded line. And many powerboat propellers can get fouled by stray line. The Foundation’s new nationwide monofilament recycling program is funded with a grant from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Debris Program and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Partnering local businesses and organizations around the country will also help install the bins. Want to get involved? This spring, the Foundation will be building even more bins. Please visit BoatUS.com/foundation to contact us and learn more about this project. The BoatU.S. Foundation is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization primarily supported by donations from individuals and grants. Please visit BoatUS.com/foundation for more information. BoatU.S. Magazine March 2008 55 http://www.BoatUS.com/foundation http://www.BoatUS.com/foundation http://www.BoatUS.com/foundation http://www.cleanboats.org http://www.cleanboats.org http://www.BoatUS.com/foundation

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Boat U.S. - March 2008

Boat U.S. - March 2008 Contents Behind the Buoy BoatU.S. Reports Member Forum Cap'n Drew Sailing the Sidewalk Aviators Ahoy Docking and Duffing Waterfront Living: Charleston Waterfront Marketplace Grady Right 2nd Time Around DIY: Keeping the Water Out Hot Tips Boat Smart Ask Chuck Foundation Findings Tangled Line At Your Service Good Foundations BoatU.S. Exchange Behind the Boat Where Our Flags Fly

Boat U.S. - March 2008

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