June 2007 - Volume 68, Issue 6
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In this issue
NextGEN Departments
Don't Dump That Bait! continued...
- Talk to a pet store owner or the hobby aquarium society (www.missouriaquariumsociety.org). They may be able to help find a home for your pet.
- Give the fish or other animals to others who might wish to care for them.
- Dispose of the animals in a sealed container. Your veterinarian may be able to help if you feel that euthanizing the animals is the most appropriate solution.
Mussels on the Move
Aquatic invasive species like the zebra mussel can inadvertently be transferred from one lake to another. Zebra mussels “hitchhike” on boats, motors, trailers and aquatic plants. Adult zebra mussels can live for several days out of water, and their microscopic larvae can survive in boat bilge water, live wells, engine cooling systems and in bait buckets.
The solution to preventing the spread of invasive species that attach themselves to boats and other watercraft is somewhat more challenging, but you can help by following a few simple steps.
- Inspect your boats and trailers thoroughly and remove any trash, mussels or aquatic weeds before leaving any water body.
- Drain water from the motor, live well, bilge and transom wells, as well as any other water from your boat and equipment, before leaving any water body.
- Dump leftover bait on land, far away from water.
- Rinse your boat, trailer and equipment (including live wells, bilge and cooling systems) thoroughly with a hard spray of hot (104 degrees) water, like that found at a self-serve carwash.
- Dry boat, motor, trailer and equipment thoroughly in the hot sun before using it again.
- Several Missouri Stream Teams are helping by monitoring lakes and streams for zebra mussels. If you would like to join the effort, call 800-781-1989 or visit the Stream Team Web site at www.mostreamteam.org.
Even if everyone implemented all the preventative measures we’ve discussed, we probably would not be able to completely halt the spread of invasive aquatic species in our state. By working together, however, we can slow their spread and protect the recreational, aesthetic, health and economic benefits of Missouri’s lakes, ponds and streams.
About This Article
Authors
Invasive Species Coordinator BRIAN CANADAY
works statewide on aquatic and terrestrial
invasive species issues. he lives on a small farm
in southern Boone County with his wife, Bridget,
their two children, Joshua and Haley, and
their dog, Scooby. They enjoy boating, fishing,
hunting and camping in Missouri and beyond.
BOB DISTEFANO, a resource scientist for the
Department since 1986, researches stream
life and coordinates crayfish conservation and
management. He enjoys working with students,
making his tolerant wife and kids happy,
laughing at life and chasing other animals
through woods and streams and eating them.
CHRIS RIGGERT is a fisheries biologist with the
Department’s Stream Unit. He works primarily
with Missouri Stream Teams and educates citizens
about how streams function. He maintains
a strong interest in crayfish and introduced
species. He enjoys floating and fishing as much
as his wife, Jeanine, will tolerate.
