Table of Contents
- 1 What can you do to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species?
- 2 What is the best way to clean the hull of your vessel to protect the environment boat?
- 3 What product is a good choice for cleaning your boat?
- 4 Why are boaters considered an aquatic nuisance species?
- 5 How can I remove invasive species from my boat?
What can you do to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species?
To prevent spreading aquatic nuisance species:
- Inspect your vessel and trailer, and remove any plants and animals you see before leaving the area.
- Drain your motor, live well, and bilge on land before leaving the area.
- Empty your bait bucket on land.
- Rinse your vessel, propeller, trailer, and equipment.
What is the best way to clean the hull of your vessel to protect the environment boat?
To protect the environment, use only environmentally safe, non-phosphate detergents to remove oil and algae from fiberglass hulls. Avoid abrasive materials, which can remove the shiny top layer (gel coat). Patch holes immediately with a fiberglass patching compound.
Where can aquatic Nuisance species hide on a boat?
Some aquatic invasive species can attach to boats, while others can become tangled on propellers, anchor lines, or boat trailers. Many species can survive in bilge water, ballast tanks, and motors or may hide in dirt or sand that clings to nets, buckets, anchors, and waders.
How can you prevent transporting aquatic nuisance species with your boat from one waterway to another?
To prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species:
- Inspect your paddlecraft before leaving a body of water.
- Rinse your paddlecraft’s hull and equipment before moving from one body of water to another.
- Empty your bait bucket on land.
- Use plain water or non-phosphate detergents to clean your paddlecraft.
What product is a good choice for cleaning your boat?
Use bilge absorbents instead of detergents. Reduce the amount of detergent you use when cleaning your boat. Even biodegradable cleaners may harm aquatic plants and animals.
Why are boaters considered an aquatic nuisance species?
As boaters, we have an important role to play in NOT transporting species from one body of water to another. Experts predict that many aquatic nuisance species (ANS) will spread because of actions taken by un-informed people, and by trailered boats going from one lake to another, or from a lake to a river.
What’s the best way to clean out a boat?
When keeping live bait, drain bait container and replace with bottled or tap water. Clean all visible aquatic plants, animals, and mud off push poles, flails, canoes, boats, trailers, and other equipment before leaving the water access. Drain water from boats, canoes, and all equipment.
How to get rid of aquatic nuisances on a boat?
Dump all unused bait at the fishing site, or give it to someone else who might be fishing. Wash off your boat, your ski lines, your gear, your engine, and scrub with a disposable rag. Leave the rag in the garbage can at the ramp.
How can I remove invasive species from my boat?
Some invasive species, such as zebra mussels, can be difficult to remove from a boat hull. They first need to be killed by water or steam that is 140 degrees F, then they need to be removed by a brush or pressure washer. For help cleaning your boat and equipment, visit a decontamination station for a free boat wash (leaves DEC website).