Aquatic Invasive Species Education and Prevention

Michigan Sea Grant staff collaborates with state agencies and other partners to raise awareness of the problem of aquatic invasive species. Significant 2005 activities are summarized below.

Great Lakes Regional Collaboration
Michigan Sea Grant staff members assisted in writing the Aquatic Invasive Species strategy as part of the regional collaboration focusing on Great Lakes restoration.

See: GLRC website

Upper Great Lakes Region
Sea Grant staff highlighted the Michigan perspective at the 2005 conference on Aquatic Invasive Species in the Upper Great Lakes Region. The event was a working conference for regional, state, and local land and water managers to enhance regional cooperation and collaboration.

Hydrilla Hunt
Volunteer efforts continued in 2005 to monitor Michigan waters for signs of the invasive aquatic plant, Hydrilla. To date, the plant has not been found in Michigan. The efforts are part of a statewide invasive species rapid response plan, developed in 2004 with support from Michigan Sea Grant.

See: Hydrilla website

AIS HACCP
Sea Grant staff conducted an AIS program for 50 state agency personnel outlining HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) techniques to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species in Michigan waterways.

Getting the Word Out
In cooperation with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan Sea Grant distributes thousands of watch cards, brochures and other materials, including AIS signs at boat launches, to encourage public participation in prevention and control efforts. Michigan Sea Grant recorded more than 25,087 visits to the program’s AIS web site in 2005 and distributed more than 50,000 print and online AIS publications.