AIS Prevention Tips for Non-motorized Boats
The non-motorized recreational community continues to grow in Pennsylvania, with many people enjoying canoeing, paddling, kayaking, and rafting. Unfortunately, non-motorized watercrafts have the potential to spread aquatic invasive species (AIS) to new waters when species attach to related equipment. Many AIS can survive out of water for five days or more, allowing them to infest new water bodies if boats and equipment are not properly cleaned or inspected.
Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are non-native plants, animals, or pathogens that cause harm to the environment, the economy, and human or animal health. Preventing their spread is important because once introduced, these species disrupt ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, and cost communities time, money, resources, and lost revenue.
Non-motorized boats such as canoes, stand-up paddle boards, rafts, kayaks, paddleboats, rowboats, inflatables, sculls, and other non-motorized recreational watercraft can act as a vector for AIS spread. Aquatic invasive plants can form thick mats of vegetation that clog water bodies, impede navigation, and get tangled around paddles, skegs, shoes, and rudders. These plants can also harbor other invasive species such as Zebra and Quagga Mussels. Because non-motorized boaters often travel great distances to enjoy different lakes, rivers, and streams, unwanted species can be unintentionally transported and introduced.
While many species are large enough to see with the human eye, others are too small to be readily noticed and can easily be transported to new locations on non-motorized watercraft gear. By following a few simple steps, the non-motorized boating community can play an active role in preventing the spread of AIS:
- Clean: Inspect and clean off all visible aquatic plants, animals, and mud from watercraft, gear, paddles, floats, ropes, anchors, dip nets, and trailers before leaving water access. Scrub the hull using a stiff brush. Rinse watercraft trailer, and equipment with high-pressure hot water when possible.
- Check these areas: Straps, paddles, trailers, floats, and anchors.
- Drain: Drain water from watercraft, sponges, bailers, and water-containing devices before leaving water access.
- Dry: Dry everything five days or more, unless otherwise required by local or state laws, when moving between waters to kill small species not easily seen, or if drying is not possible, wipe with a towel before reuse. Completely dry inflatables and other recreational watercraft before storing. Wear quick-dry footwear or bring a second pair of footwear with you when portaging between water bodies.
- Follow PA Regulations (58 Pa. Code Chapter 71a): Upon leaving a waterbody, all non-motorized boaters must check their boat and remove any plant fragments or prohibited aquatic invasive species on their boat or trailer. Non-motorized boaters must also drain all water from their boat and water-containing devices.
