The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) reminds waterfowl hunters to join the fight against the spread of aquatic invasive species like giant salvinia and zebra mussels. Hunters play a key role in this preventive effort when they clean, drain and dry their boats and equipment, including decoys and other hunting gear, before traveling from lake to lake.
Aquatic invasive plants can easily become entangled or trapped on boats and boat trailers and moved to other lakes. Giant salvinia, one of the most problematic aquatic invasive plants in Texas, can double in size and acreage in less than a week, quickly becoming a problem. Just a small fragment of giant salvinia or other aquatic invasive plants can cause an infestation in a new lake, making it critical for boaters to clean, drain and dry their boats and gear.
“Giant salvinia is often thought of as a plant that blocks recreational access for anglers and boaters, but it can cause serious problems for waterfowl hunters too,” said John Findeisen, TPWD Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Team Lead. “Not only does it form thick mats that block hunters’ access to prime waterfowl hunting areas, but it can also outgrow and replace the native plants that waterfowl rely on for food and habitat.”
Other major invasive species threats in Texas include zebra and quagga mussels. Currently, zebra mussels are found in 34 Texas lakes across six river basins as well as in river reaches downstream of infested lakes. In addition, for the first time In Texas, quagga mussels were detected in Lake Amistad in 2021.
These invaders can harm aquatic life, litter shorelines with sharp shells, damage boats, clog water intakes and cause costly damage to water supply and control infrastructure. Invasive mussels attached to plants or boats can travel to new lakes, and boats and equipment can transport microscopic invasive mussels’ larvae in residual water.
“Waterfowl hunters can help keep invasive mussels and aquatic plants from being moved and harming more lakes by taking a few minutes to remove plants and debris from boats, along with draining water before leaving the lake and allowing everything to dry completely afterward before traveling to a new lake,” said Monica McGarrity, TPWD Senior Scientist for Aquatic Invasive Species. “Taking just a few minutes for these simple steps can help prevent impacts on ecosystems, infrastructure, and recreation and make a huge difference in our efforts to protect and preserve Texas lakes for current and future generations.
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