Aquatic Invasive Species

What You Can Do To Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species?

Never release live pets, plants, bait, or seafood products:

• The release of aquarium or terrarium pets or plants - the agency has had to poison lakes in the past due to the presence of large populations of goldfish. Many lakes, rivers, and streams have such heavy infestations of Eurasian water milfoil that they are no longer usable for swimming, fishing, or boating.
• The release or escape of animals or plants used in research or education - science kits sent to elementary or middle schools sometimes contain live non-native animals and/or plants such as crayfish, Brazilian elodea or Eurasian water milfoil.
• The release or improper disposal of live seafood or the material it is packed in - it is possible that Spartina was introduced with shipments of live aqua cultural products.
• The spread of aquatic plants or animals from one water body to another on a boat or boat trailer - IT IS ILLEGAL to have any aquatic plants on a boat or trailer on any road in Washington State. Always clean your boat before leaving a launch site.
• The release of unused bait - always dispose of all live bait at an appropriate upland site.
• Clean Your Boat Before You Float - Aquatic plants and animals are often inadvertently moved from waterbody to another by trailered boats. It is important to remove all visible plant or animal materials from your boat, motor, trailer of other equipment, and to drain all of the water from bilges and live wells away from the water body. Transporting aquatic plants on your equipment on any state or public road, including forest roads, is a misdemeanor. [RCW 77.15.290 (4) and (5).]

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