BOATERS - ANGLERS - AQUARISTS - GARDENERS

The prevention and control of invasive species requires modifying the public’s behaviors, values and beliefs, and changing the way decisions are made.—National Invasive Species Council’s National Management Plan 2001.

The prevention of the further spread of aquatic invasive species is the best method of control, however, this requires awareness and informed decision making on the part of the general public. Through enhanced public understanding, we can expect greater acceptance, motivation, engagement, and
mobilization at the community level to establish an efficient line of defense. The issues at stake are the environment, local economics, and human health and should therefore appeal to diverse individual needs and interests. Mobilization can be inspired by demonstrating preventative action steps that can be
easily implemented. Two recent U.S. national public outreach campaigns established to increase the effectiveness of aquatic invasive species communications are Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!™ and
Habitattitude™. Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!™ was established by the U.S. National Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force and provides materials to increase awareness and empower recreational water users to become part of the solution in preventing further invasive species spread. Habitattitude™ was created through a joint partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council to increase awareness and responsible behaviors among aquarium hobbyists, backyard pond owners, and water gardeners.

In summer 2007, the Georgia Marine Extension Service collected a total of 201 surveys from coastal
Georgia residents (ages 8 to 71+, 39% male and 61% female) to gauge publics understanding of aquatic invasive species pathways.
• Of the 67 people that owned home aquaria 12% admitted to having dumped aquaria pets and contents into the wild.
• Forty-three people had ornamental garden ponds and of these 23% admitted to having dumped plants into the wild.
• Live bait was used by almost all (86%) of the 97 that participated in recreational fishing activities and of these more than half admitted to releasing the bait alive (56%).
• Sixty people owned a boat and of these 35% either occasionally or never cleaned the boat when moving it between waterways and 33% occasionally or never flushed their bilge water.
• When asked if they were familiar with the term aquatic invasive species, 49% responded yes, and 51% no.

It is clear that there is a local need to expand learning opportunities to increase public appreciation about the causes of aquatic species invasions and their consequences. The links below provide information that can help reduce the threat of spreading invasive species:

RACK CARDS: BOATERS - ANGLERS - AQUARISTS - GARDENERS

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS: BOATERS - ANGLERS - AQUARISTS - GARDENERS

HULLHITCHERS CAMPAIGN: BROCHURE

SIGNAGE: BOATERS - ANGLERS - AQUARISTS - GARDENERS

Early detection of new species and the tracking of their spread is also an important aspect in the management of aquatic invasive species that you can help with. Click here on monitoring to learn more about how to get involved.