Aquatic invasive species pose a grave threat to our water ecosystems, impacting biodiversity, disrupting habitats, and causing economic losses. As we delve into the complexities of managing these intruders, it becomes crucial to focus on preventive measures, particularly those involving recreational watercraft. This blog post for National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) underscores the need for legislative actions aimed at preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species through recreational boating.

The Scope of the Problem:

Recreational watercraft, including motorized and non-motorized boats, inadvertently contribute to the spread of aquatic invasive species. These invaders, such as zebra and quagga mussels, can attach to hulls, trailers, propellers, and move great distances over land by hitching a ride on recreational vessels. Zebra and quagga mussel young are microscopic and can be transported in standing water on boats along with weed fragments, harmful pathogens, and invasive zooplankton. When boats move between water bodies, the invaders find new habitats to colonize causing irreversible harm to the ecosystem and our water supply infrastructure for municipal, industrial, and agricultural uses. This unintentional transport accelerates the rate at which invasive species establish themselves in new environments, making prevention a key focus in our strategy against aquatic invaders.

Legislation as a Preventive Measure:

1. Mandatory Inspection and Decontamination Stations:
   Advocate for legislation that mandates watercraft inspections and decontamination procedures before entering or leaving water bodies. This proactive approach helps identify and remove invasive species before they have a chance to spread. Containing invasive mussels at the source of the infestation provides the best protection for all other waters.
2. Education and Outreach Requirements:
   Legislative measures should include provisions for educational programs and outreach initiatives targeting boat owners and operators. Increased awareness about the threats posed by aquatic invasive species and the importance of proper boat hygiene is fundamental to fostering a culture of responsible boating in which each boater fully cleans, drains, and dries their vessel in between each and every use to prevent invasive species spread.
3. Regulation of Ballast Water Discharge:
   Enact regulations that govern the discharge of ballast water from commercial ships and recreational vessels. This can prevent the unintentional introduction of aquatic invasive species into new areas and contribute to the overall health of marine and freshwater ecosystems.
4. Coordinated State and Federal Efforts:
   Advocate for legislation that encourages collaboration between state and federal agencies in enforcing preventive measures. A unified approach ensures consistency in regulations, making it more challenging for invasive species to exploit regulatory gaps. States should harmonize laws and regulations by adopting the Model Legal Framework for Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Programs.
5. Provide Continuous Fundingfor Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination and other Aquatic Invasive Species Programming:
   • Continued appropriations for invasive species provisions within the Water Resources Development Act with a reduced match of 25/75..
   • Continue full appropriations for State AIS Management Plans, as authorized in Section 1204 the National Invasive Species Act of 1997.
   • Designate continuous funding for each of the six Regional Panels on ANS, as authorized in the National Invasive Species Act of 1997.
   • The Quagga Zebra Action Plan for Western Waters (QZAP) was requested by Senator Feinstein, published by the Western Regional Panel in 2010 and updated in 2020. Congress authorized the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to administer a QZAP grant and it is recommended that the grant program be continued at current or higher levels each year.

Public-Private Partnerships:

1. Support for Industry Innovation:
   Encourage partnerships with the boating industry to develop and implement innovative technologies that can prevent the spread of invasive species. This might include the development of eco-friendly antifouling paints, hull designs that resist invasive species attachment, reducing the amount of standing water on board, improving access for inspection and decontamination, and other technological solutions.
2. Incentives for Compliance:
   Explore the possibility of providing incentives for watercraft manufacturers who improve design and engineering to ensure boats are less likely to transport AIS by reducing the amount of water able to be carried on board and technologies that prevent plants and animals from hitchhiking over land on watercraft.  

As Invasive Species Management professionals, it is crucial to focus our attention to the prevention of aquatic invasive species spread through recreational watercraft. Legislative actions can be a powerful tool in this endeavor, creating a framework that encourages responsible boating practices and protects our precious water ecosystems. By advocating for and supporting these legislative measures, we can take significant strides toward ensuring that our water bodies remain healthy, vibrant, and free from the detrimental impacts of aquatic invasive species.