REPORT AQUATIC INVASIVES!

Anglers, boaters, naturalists and other waterway users are encouraged not only to keep an eye out for aquatic invasive plants or animals but to report sightings of new species to a recently launched website designed just for this purpose. The Aquatic Invasives Program website, http://www.mass.gov/czm/invasives/index.htm , is an online resource for identifying and reporting new non-indigenous species introduction in Massachusetts. Hosted by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management as part of a collaborative inter-agency effort to facilitate early detection and reporting of invasives, the website is the best mechanism for citizens, field monitors, fishermen, or anyone else to identify and report invasive freshwater, marine, plant or animal species.

“In many cases, once an aquatic invasive species becomes established, eradication is impossible or cost-prohibitive,” says Richard Hartley, MassWildlife Fisheries Biologist. “We want anyone who thinks they have identified a new aquatic invasive species to take a picture, try to identify and report it by using this website.  Links to resources for identification, prevention and control of aquatic invasives are some of the website’s most useful features.”

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are known by many names—nuisance species, exotic species, non-indigenous species, or just pests. Aquatic invasive plants and animals, such as purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and the European green crab (Carcinus maenas) have forever changed the ecology and economy of Massachusetts. To address these threats, a variety of state and federal agencies and nonprofit organizations including MassWildlife have formed the Massachusetts AIS Working Group. This group works to prevent new introductions and manage the impact of aquatic invasives already established in the Commonwealth.  To achieve this goal, the AIS Working Group is focusing on: prevention and education, early detection, species identification and montoring, rapid response and control.