Waterfowl Hunters: Lend a Hand to Help Halt the Spread of Invasive Species
AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) requests the help of waterfowl hunters to protect Texas water bodies from the spread of aquatic invasive species that can reduce the quality of waterfowl habitats, block recreational access and harm ecosystems and infrastructure.
Hunters can make a difference to help protect waterfowl and the hunting experience by simply taking a few minutes to clean, drain and dry their boats and equipment, including decoys and other hunting gear, before traveling from lake to lake. These simple steps help keep invasive species like giant salvinia, other aquatic invasive plants and zebra mussels from spreading to new waters.
Aquatic invasive plants can easily become entangled or trapped on boats and boat trailers or even tow vehicles (including around lights, license plates, and between the boat and bunks) and be moved to other lakes. Hunters should also make sure they aren’t inadvertently carrying invasive species on or in other equipment, like waders, decoys, decoy bags and marsh sleds by cleaning, draining and drying this equipment as well.
Tips on how to clean, drain and dry specifically for waterfowl hunters from recent studies include (1) use a wet/dry vacuum to help remove plants from the boat, trailer and most equipment before rinsing with a water hose that can push plant fragments into small, unreachable spaces; (2) use a water hose to rinse waders and decoys after hand removing plants, mud and organisms, with a stiff brush to clean out boot treads; and (3) take care to drain water out of decoys and consider adding drain holes to older, cracked decoys that tend to hold water or plant fragments. A video to help hunters learn how to properly clean, drain and dry their gear can be found on the TPWD YouTube Channel.
Giant salvinia, a highly invasive, free-floating aquatic fern that can double its coverage area in a week, can produce thick surface mats that impact the ecosystem and aquatic life, and make access for hunting, fishing, boating, swimming and other water recreation nearly impossible. It only takes a single fragment moved to a new lake to cause a new infestation.
“Giant salvinia is often thought of as a plant that causes recreational access issues for anglers and boaters, but additionally it can create serious problems for waterfowl hunters,” said Jessica Metz, TPWD aquatic habitat enhancement biologist. “This invasive plant can not only form thick mats that block hunters’ access to prime waterfowl hunting areas but also outgrow and replace the native plants that waterfowl rely on for food and high-quality habitat. Taking time to clean, drain and dry boats, equipment, waders, and other gear can help protect waterfowl as well as maintain your gear.”
Giant salvinia is currently present on 30 East Texas lakes and numerous rivers, creeks and marshes largely between Houston and Beaumont. However, other invasive plants that can also degrade waterfowl habitat are present in many other lakes, and it is important to be vigilant and clean, drain dry when leaving any water body.
Zebra mussels, a non-native shellfish that attaches to hard surfaces, pose a significant concern for Texas lakes. These invasive mussels are filter feeders that compete with native species, alter lake ecosystems and can cause harm to many native species. They also damage boats and infrastructure for water supply and control, and litter shorelines with hazardous, sharp shells that impact lakefront recreation.
Zebra mussels are now found in 40 Texas lakes across eight river basins as well as in river reaches downstream of infested lakes. TPWD and partner organizations monitor numerous at-risk lakes around the state for early detection of zebra and closely related quagga mussels. Once they’ve been introduced and become established in a lake, little or nothing can be done to control or eradicate them, with efforts focused on mitigating or minimizing damage to critical water infrastructure. Because of this, taking action to prevent spread is critical.
“Zebra mussels and quagga mussels can attach to boats and even be carried by anchors, plants clinging to boats, or other equipment including treads of waders and boots,” said Monica McGarrity, TPWD senior scientist for aquatic invasive species. “Though they can’t be seen with the naked eye, microscopic zebra mussel larvae can also be transported unknowingly in residual water in the boat or even in water in decoys. Taking just a few minutes to clean, drain and dry boats can make a huge difference in our efforts to prevent further spread of this highly damaging species and harm to Texas lakes.”
On top of the harm invasive species cause to aquatic ecosystems, water infrastructure, and recreational experiences at lakes, the transport of these organisms can also result in legal trouble for boaters.
Transporting prohibited aquatic invasive species in Texas is illegal and punishable with a fine of up to $500 per violation. It’s also legally required that boaters must drain all water from their boat and onboard receptacles, including bait buckets, before leaving or approaching a body of fresh water. In addition, boaters must remove all invasive plants from their boat, trailer, and transport or launch vehicle and equipment before leaving a lake.
TPWD and partners monitor for invasive species in Texas lakes but still need everyone’s help. Anyone who finds them in lakes where they haven’t been reported before — or spots them on boats, trailers or equipment being moved— can help identify and prevent new introductions by immediately reporting the sighting of invasive species being moved to TPWD at (512) 389-4848 or by emailing photos and location information for new invasions to aquaticinvasives@tpwd.texas.gov.
To learn more about giant salvinia, zebra mussels and other invasive species in Texas, visit tpwd.texas.gov/StopInvasives.
