keeping our waterways clean

[ephman]

The other day I received a press release regarding Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). “Invasive species” sounds pretty grim. Are these just small, little extra-terrestrials? No, but they are serious. Aquatic Species which are native to waterways in other areas of the world, can have a significant impact on our ecosystems when introduced to our rivers, lakes, bays and oceans. I am interested in what is being done locally in your waterway to control this problem. I would also like to know what other actions are being taken by you or others to keep the waters clean.

[Cruisingdad]

There posts/pamphlets all over Lake Texoma. It is not a serious problem there YET, but it likely will be. I assume you mean Zebra Mussels or the like? They will take over. It is just a matter of time. I feel the only way to stop them is a developed control (some type of chemical agent) coupled with a very good environmental protection program. However, as anyone knows that has spent much time in a yard, they could care less about scrubbing down every inch of a boats bottom or its bilge. Without a means for truely controlling them, there is only so much you can do.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebra_mussel

There are likely hundres of examples of other invasive species... but this one seems to be at the top of the list. I know in Cape Coral we were being taken over with monitor lizards (from Africa). They were running out many of the native species. There were monitors spotted that were many feet long. THough I doubt they are truly a real threat to humans (though they could be), they are a threat to the natural ecosystem. However, with the free trade and open movement of goods and people alike around the world, these are issues that we will forever deal with. We upset the natural balance of nature.

- CD

PS Here is an unbelieveable pic of what zebras can do...

[Freesail99]

In Philadelphia they have a fish that can crawl across land to get into another body of water. This is the fish:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/scienc...nakeheads.html

[erps]

Isn't every single plant and animal in the Hawain Islands an invasive species?

[sailingdog]

The Snakehead fish is a very nasty one, and almost impossible to get rid of... since it is very tolerant of conditions that would kill most other fish.

[markhschuster]

The rusty crayfish seems to have spread all over the country. What I can't figure out is the prohibition in every state I've fished in against non-residents taking any. I don't catch them to use them as bait; I catch them to eat them, so you would think I was doing the given state a favor, but that's not the way the laws are written. Go figure.

[erps]

I am interested in what is being done locally in your waterway to control this problem. I would also like to know what other actions are being taken by you or others to keep the waters clean.

In the PNW there are signs at freshwater boat ramps warning boaters about milfoil sp?. There has been government money spent on the erradication of spartina from tide lands and the "Green Crab" is in the news out on the coast. Meanwhile, our rivers have changed over the years and our Coho and Chinook salmon aren't doing well. Meanwhile, our Chum salmon seem to be doing a lot better. Government money and policies are aimed at the salmon doing poorly to keep them from going extinct.

All of this makes me wonder sometimes, isn't this evolution? Our environment is changing and some species do better than others at adapting. So we throw money at it, trying to save the species that aren't adapting well. Seems like nature has a way of taking its course and it's a bit futile to fight it.

That picture of the shell encrusted shopping cart in post #2, maybe that's nature's way of sequestering the CO2 that all the chicken liddles are worried about.

[AjariBonten]

You can see signs about this at just about every state border across the northeast; but I think it's pretty much closing the barn door after the horse has already gotten out.

Not only is this not new; it's typically not even accidental.
Google the origin of tumbleweeds, kudzu, Africanized honeybees (killer bees), and literally hundreds of other "imports gone awry".

The biggest threat to the soft-shell clam (steamers) in New England is the green crab; unknown north of Provincetown MA before the Cape Cod Canal.

I'm sure the Phoenecians brought invasive species to ancient Greece ..........

[erps]

If we really want to get rid of these species, we just need to spread a rumor that it's good for the libido to eat 'em. A black commercial market will spring up so the critters are hunted/gathered to extinction.

[captaincrump]

Around the Chesapeake Bay we have learned that a major factor in pollution is the ABSENCE of our oysters and menhaden. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, a volunteer group, as well as others, is sponsoring efforts to seed oysters for the future and reduce the commercial harvesting of the versatile menhaden. By and large, boaters on the Bay are well informed about actions required to restore and protect this national treasure.