Boating and fishing events during Invasive Aquatic Species Awareness Week from June 30 to July 6

More than 50 boat launches are planned across the state for this year’s Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Awareness Week, June 30-July 6. Public awareness of the impacts of harmful, non-native aquatic plants and animals is critical to protecting Michigan’s ecosystems, tourism and economy.

The boat landing events are part of the 11th annual AIS Landing Blitz, where local partners such as marine associations and Cooperative Invasive Species Control Areas (CISMA) provide boaters with tips on how to prevent the spread of AIS and comply with recreational boating laws. You can search for an event near you on the regional Landing Blitz website. Similar AIS Landing Blitz events are held in each of the Great Lakes states and in each Canadian province.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a proclamation to mark AIS Awareness Week to raise awareness of this important issue and stop the spread of invasive aquatic plants and organisms.

What you can do

Help prevent the spread of AIS by following a few simple steps.

Required actions – this is required by law in Michigan:

• Remove all aquatic organisms, including plants, from watercraft and trailers before launching or transporting.
• Before transporting a watercraft, remove all drain plugs and drain all water from bilges, ballast tanks and live tanks.
• Dispose of unused bait in the trash and not in the water.

Recommended additional measures to protect our waters:

• Clean boats, trailers and equipment by removing vegetation, debris and mud before leaving the access area. If possible, dispose of the material in a trash can or other location away from the water.
• If possible, wash boats and trailers before leaving the driveway or at a nearby car wash or at home.
• Allow boats and equipment to dry for five days before launching into another body of water.
• Disinfect live tanks and bilges with a bleach solution (1/2 cup bleach to 5 gallons of water).

  An EGLE NotMISpecies webinar entitled “Clean, Drain, Dry: Boating Hygiene for the 21st Century” (previously recorded) will demonstrate how easy it is to clean, drain and dry boats and trailers to help prevent the introduction and spread of AIS.

“Partners across the state are reminding boaters and anglers of the simple steps they can take to prevent the spread of AIS,” said Kevin Walters, aquatic biologist in EGLE’s Division of Water Resources. “If we all clean, drain and dry our boats, trailers and equipment, we can reduce the chance of inadvertently carrying AIS with us during our recreational activities.”

Boat launch events are weather dependent and based on volunteer availability. Contact Kevin Walters for a list of events.

AIS Awareness Week is sponsored by EGLE’s Water Resources Division in partnership with the Departments of Natural Resources and Agriculture and Rural Development, federal agencies, and private and nonprofit organizations. For more information about AIS Awareness Week or the AIS Landing Blitz, visit Michigan’s invasive species website at Michigan.gov/Invasives.

The Michigan Invasive Species Program is jointly implemented by the Michigan Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, and Natural Resources.