Aquatic Invasive Species: The Next Generation

As the Great Lakes fishing and boating season begins, thousands of Michigan residents will take to the water—whether trolling on the Great Lakes, enjoying a quiet paddle on an inland lake or cruising along Michigan’s scenic coasts.

We’re lucky to enjoy Michigan’s vast freshwater resources, with more than 3,200 miles of Great Lakes shoreline and 11,000 inland lakes. But that good fortune also comes with an obligation.
Most of us, whether longtime boaters, coastal residents, or concerned citizens, have probably noticed a gradual change in the nature of our lakes. Boaters comment on increased water clarity (a result of zebra mussel filtering), while many waterfront property owners are working to control an abundance of nuisance aquatic plant growth. Anglers may have noticed that standard fishing tactics seem less effective, as fish behavior changes in response to food web and habitat disruptions.

What each of these has in common is a direct or suspected link to aquatic invasive species. The continued introduction of these invaders—through ballast water, aquarium releases, or inadvertent spread from inside and outside the basin—is one of the State’s most serious environmental issues.

As of March 2007, scientists have documented 183 nonindigenous aquatic species inhabiting the Great Lakes. In addition to their ecological impacts, a handful of invasive plants and animals require ongoing control efforts that continue to impact Michigan’s economy.

While the problem of aquatic invasive species is not new, what is new is the quickened pace of invasions, the cumulative damage, and perhaps for the first time, our reaction. From our day-to-day interactions with Great Lakes constituencies, it’s clear that residents are concerned. And they should be. The recent introduction of the fish virus VHS has shown how a microscopic organism can have an immediate, widespread impact on many of our favorite fish species. Is it only a matter of time before a human pathogen arrives?

While action must be taken on federal and state levels to halt this continuous stream of invaders, the good news is that Michigan residents can take action throughout the summer. All of us play an important role in stopping the spread of AIS through the Great Lakes and through Michigan’s inland waterways by following some simple steps: Boaters and anglers can prevent the spread of AIS by removing weeds from trailers and motors, emptying bait on land not in the water, never transporting live fish from one water body to another, never releasing aquarium plants or animals, and watching for signs of new invaders.

In Michigan, we’re lucky to have such abundant water resources. All of us, boaters and non-boaters alike, play a role in their protection.

Chuck Pistis
State Extension Coordinator

> Next Article