Mercury Marine and Florida Sport Fishing TV Educate Boaters on Invasive Species
{videobox}Ycpem07KeB4{/videobox} Mercury Marine, the world leader in commercial and recreational marine propulsion and technology, has partnered with Captain Mike Genoun of Florida Sport Fishing TV to educate boaters and divers on invasive species and the irreparable damage they can cause to the ecosystem.
Zebra, quagga mussels, Asian carp and snakefish have long been known to pose threats to boaters. However, lionfish have the potential to become the most disastrous marine invasion in history, by drastically reducing the abundance of coral reef fish and leaving behind a devastated ecosystem, according to Genoun.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, aquatic invasive species like zebra mussels and Eurasian water milfoil spread to new waters by hitching rides on boats and trailers. Additional tips on invasive species prevention for boaters, seaplane pilots and anglers can be found on the Wisconsin DNR website.
Legislation to manage invasive species also is on the table. Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mich., introduced U.S. House of Representatives bill HR 4001 in February 2014. The bill authorizes the secretary of the U.S. Army to address aquatic invasive species issues, particularly Asian carp, which are a considerable threat to the Great Lakes region. The current bill aims to design a barrier to carp invasion of the Great Lakes.
Additionally, the American Boat and Yacht Council recently was awarded a grant by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for a summit dedicated to “Boat Design and Construction in Consideration of Aquatic Invasive Species.” The summit will take place Jan. 27-28, 2015, in Las Vegas. For more information, contact Shannon Seipp
atsseipp@abycinc.org or visit www.abycinc.org.
