Aquatic Hitchhikers!

Spring weather is getting closer! With warmer weather in the future, it’s time to start planning those weekend getaways to your favorite water hole!  Just picture it: sunny skies, skimming across that open water, the breeze in your face…and pesky little hitchhikers on your boat; waiting….


Aquatic  hitchhikers? Yeah..we’ve got ‘em in Utah.  And it’s just a matter of time before they become a real big problem.  Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) can come in the form of plants, fungus, animals, and algae.  Some common bad guys include:

QUAGGA MUSSEL   www.h2oncoast.wordpress.com

EURASIAN MILFOIL    www.dnr.wi.gov

 ZEBRA MUSSEL   www.redorbitcom

 

NEW ZEALAND MUDSNAIL   www.decodedscience.com

With so many diverse waterbodies in Utah, it seems nearly impossible to be able to manage for AIS.  The good thing is that it’s not complicated to prevent the spread of these hitchhikers; just education and determination.

Here are some habits to get into to help prevent the spread of AIS:

1.       CLEAN: make sure any wetted equipment is free of plants, mud, debris, and animals.

2.       DRAIN: get rid of any water on your boat (pay attention to your live well, bilge, and motor)

3.       DRY: 7 in summer (June-Aug), 18 days in spring & fall (March – May & Sept – Nov), and 30 days in winter (Dec-Feb)

www.boat-ed.com

Keep track of where you play this boating season and pay attention to invasive species warnings on your favorite water spot!