The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ( TPWD ) urges boaters, paddlers, and waterfowl hunters to do their part to protect the Texas lakes we love from aquatic invasive species as Texans prepare for the start of the early season of teal hunting on September 14.
According to Brian Van Zee, TPWD Inland Fisheries local director,” We want everyone to have a great time, but we also want to avoid giving invasive species free rides to new rivers.” Every time you visit a lake, the best way to prevent the spread of some harmful aquatic invasive species is to clean, discharge, and clean your boats and products.
In Texas, big salvinia and zebra mussels are still present in freshwater. Another highly invasive species, such as frequent salvinia, water lily, horned and golden floating hearts, can also be spread or introduced by boats, despite their continuing to be some of the biggest threats to Texas lakes.
Zebra oysters, non-native oysters that attach to hard areas, pose a major threat to Texas lakes. These restrictive mussels harm boats and water source and control infrastructure, change lake ecosystems, and harm native species. They also litter shorelines with dangerous, sharpened shells that impact beachfront recreation.
Zebra mussels can now be found in 37 Texas lakes in seven river ponds as well as in river lakes infested with camel mussels. Zebra and closely related identifier mussels are first detected by TPWD and partners in several at-risk lakes around the state, but nothing can be done to stop or eradicate them once they have been introduced and established in a lake.
According to Monica McGarrity, TPWD senior scientist for aquatic invasive species,” Zebra oysters and gallery mussels can be attached to boats or even carried by anchors or attached to flowers clinging to ships.” ” Microscopic zebra oyster eggs can also be transported in the boat’s remaining water. In our efforts to stop the spread of this highly destructive species and the harm to Texas lakes, taking just a few minutes to clean, drain, and clean boats can make a big difference.
Giant salvinia, a very aggressive, free-floating underwater grass that can increase its coverage area in a week, is one of the key threats to Texas lakes. This aggressive plant can produce wet floor mats that make hunting, fishing, swimming and other water recreation virtually impossible.
Between Houston and Beaumont, there are 27 East Texas lake and many streams, rivers, and swamps where large salvinia can be found. Giant Salvinia could still travel from one lake to another using a boat, truck, or other equipment, despite TPWD efforts to currently encroachment limits on pushing and boating access in Texas ‘ public waters.
” There’s no doubt that Texans love their rivers, but we also need Texans to take action to help protect them”, said John Findeisen, TPWD watery habitat improvement group result. ” A problematic infestation in a new lake only takes a tiny fragment of an invasive plant. Avoiding impacts on boater access and time-consuming, costly efforts to manage these species once they establish themselves in a lake by preventing the introduction of aquatic invasive species. It only takes a small amount of our time as responsible boaters to clean, drain, and dry our boats and equipment to stop new introductions of aquatic invasive species. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Before moving from lake to lake, TPWD urges boaters to adhere to these three easy but necessary steps: wash, dry, and drain boats and gear. Remove plants, mud and debris, drain all water from the boat and gear, once back home, open compartments and allow everything to dry completely for at least a week, if possible.
If a boat or other piece of equipment has been stored in the water of a lake that contains invasive mussels, it is likely infested and poses a very high risk of moving these invasive species to a new lake unless it has been properly decontaminated. Before moving the boat, call TPWD at ( 512 ) 389-4848 for guidance.
In addition to cleaning, draining and drying their boats and trailers, hunters should also make sure they are n’t inadvertently carrying invasive species on other equipment like waders, decoys, decoy bags and marsh sleds, cleaning, draining and drying this equipment as well. The TPWD YouTube Channel has a video to teach hunters how to properly clean, drain, and dry.
Waterfowl hunters can prevent the movement of invasive mussels and aquatic plants by removing plants and debris from boats for a short while before leaving the lake and allowing everything to dry completely before moving to a new location, according to Monica McGarrity, TPWD Senior Scientist for Aquatic Invasive Species. ” Ten minutes to spare for these easy actions can help prevent impacts on ecosystems, infrastructure, and recreation, and make a significant difference in our efforts to protect and preserve Texas lakes for current and future generations.”
In addition to the harm that invasive species cause, their transportation can cause legal repercussions for boaters or hunters. The illegal and punishable act of transporting prohibited aquatic invasive species to Texas includes a fine of up to$ 500 per violation. Boaters are required to clear all water from their boats and onboard receptacles, including bait buckets, before leaving or approaching a body of fresh water, according to the law. Before leaving a lake, they must also remove all invasive plants from the boat and trailer.
Visit the TPWD YouTube channel for a brief instructional video for more information on how to properly clean, drain, and dry boats and equipment. Visit tpwd to learn more about zebra mussels and other invasive species in Texas. texas. gov/StopInvasives.
Anyone who spots invasive species on boats, trailers, or other moving equipment can report it to TPWD at ( 512 ) 389-4848. TPWD and partners monitor for them in Texas lakes. By emailing photos and location information to aquaticinvasives@tpwd.texas, anyone who finds invasive species like zebra mussels in lakes where they have n’t been previously can identify new introductions. gov.
