AIS Prevention Tips for Recreational Scuba Divers
Aquatic invasive species (AIS) such as invasive mussels can attach to recreational scuba diving equipment and be accidentally transported and spread to new waterbodies.
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.
Recreational scuba diving is a popular activity that can be heavily impacted by unwanted AIS such as Zebra and Quagga Mussels. Favorite underwater attractions become encrusted with thousands to millions of invasive mussels, making these destinations less desirable diving spots. Clearing of the water allows sunlight to penetrate deeper in the water column, causing overgrowth of aquatic plants that can decrease visibility and negatively impact water quality.
Scuba divers can unintentionally transport species between waterbodies when they attach to diving gear and equipment. All age classes, including the microscopic larvae (called veligers), can be transported this way, so precautions should be taken to reduce the risk of moving AIS, especially when diving in different waters on the same or repeated days. By following a few simple steps, divers can play an active role in preventing the spread of AIS:
- Clean: Inspect and clean off visible plants, animals, and mud from wetsuit, dry suit, mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy compensator (BC), regulator, cylinder, weight belt, watercraft, motor, and trailer before leaving water access. Soak gear used in saltwater dives in 5% dishwashing liquid solutions (1 cup/gallon), or gear used in freshwater dives in 3.5% salt solution (½ cup/gallon) for 30 minutes. This method is most effective for Zebra Mussel larvae but is also effective in treating other small AIS. Rinse inside and outside of gear with hot water, when possible.
- Check these areas: Snorkel, mask, wetsuit/dry suit, BC, weight belt, cylinder, fins, booties, regulator.
- Drain: Drain water from BC, regulator, cylinder boot, watercraft, motor, and any 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.
