Marina Dock Age

Across the country, the weather is heating up, boaters are taking to the waters, and marinas are doing everything in their power to stop the spread of quagga and zebra mussels. The war against the invasive species is taking on many forms, including educational seminars and statewide prevention efforts.

In California, the Department of Boating and Waterways recently completed a series of  seminars to educate boaters about their role in combating aquatic invasive species. The seminars note that the mussels, as well as other invasive species, pose serious environmental and economic threats.

The invasive species are noted for their abilities to take over habitats, alter the chemistry of the water, displace native species, and even transmit diseases that are dangerous to humans.  They are known to clog water delivery systems that can cost billions of dollars to repair. By clinging to boat propellers and hulls, the mussels increase the boat’s fuel consumption. This harms the environment and the economy. Marinas are spending extra money to clean their customers’ boats and protect their infrastructures.

At the California seminars, the Department of Fish and Game teaches boaters how to identify the critters. They also show various techniques to keep the mussels out of both freshwater and saltwater areas. The seminar concludes with a hands-on inspection of a boat, showing participants what they need to look for on their boats and how to properly inspect their watercraft and fishing gear.

In Wyoming, zebra and quagga mussels are absent, but they pose a big worry for state biologists. Their worry is that the invasive species will invade the state’s waters and disrupt the aquatic food chains on many inland lakes and reservoirs.

Because the mussels have had negative impacts on water resources, healthy ecosystems, and recreational equipment, the state’s goal is to prevent their spread. To do this, the state is putting a lot of responsibility on boaters, anglers, recreationists, and marinas.

In early May, state biologists said a potential infestation of zebra mussels was averted when a mechanic at the Buckboard Marina on the Green River inspected a new boat that had been transported from a marina on the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. The mechanic found a zebra mussel on the boat’s trim tabs and alerted the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force.

The boat was decontaminated with a heated power washer and then voluntarily quarantined.

In Colorado, the threat of zebra and quagga mussels is prompting changes in the way the state allows boat launches at state parks. To combat the spread of these exotic mussels, the state has started inspecting boats before they can be put into the water.

The state is also asking boaters to play a major role in stopping the spread of the invasive species by following these guidelines:
•    Clean the hull of the boat every time it’s used.
•    Drain the water from the boat live well, and ballast tanks.
•    Dry the boat, fishing gear, and equipment every time they’re used.
•    Inspect all exposed surfaces.
•    Remove all plant and animal material.

Have any tips that you would like to share with other marinas? Please e-mail them to jkoncel@marinadockage.com