(Editor’s note: This week, Feb. 27-March 3, marks National Invasive Species Awareness Week. As part of an effort to alert and educate the public on invasive species typical to McKean County, officials with the McKean County Conservation District and Penn State Extension have put together a series of stories on what to look out for and how to deal with an invasive species problem. Part 3 of the series appears here.)
SMETHPORT — Many different invasive species are found where you fish, boat and swim. Plants and animals are invading streams, ponds, and lakes and causing great harm to our local fish, plants, and other aquatic life. Boaters, fishermen, and others enjoying our water resources play an important role in making sure these species do not spread. Many aquatic invasives are found in specific bodies of water. If water recreation enthusiasts are vigilant, their spread to uninfected areas can be prevented.
One example of a very troublesome aquatic invader is the zebra mussel. This animal made its way into the Great Lakes in the bilge water of a ship. When the bilge was emptied, the small mussels left with the water. They have since spread widely and cause significant ecological harm. The zebra mussel can easily be moved unintentionally on recreational boats that are not checked and cleaned before leaving an infected water. Likewise, creatures like the spiny water flea can hitchhike on fishing gear. The flea is distinguished by a long straight spiny tail twice as long as its body possessing one to three pairs of barbs. Spiny water fleas collect in gelatinous clumps on fishing lines, downrigger cables, and other aquatic equipment. It has caused major changes in the zooplankton community structure; reproduce rapidly; competes directly with small fish and can have impact on zooplankton community. Fish cannot eat the spiny water fleas because of the barbs.
Aquatic plants also hitchhike on gear and boats. There are also numerous aquatic plants that make life difficult for fish, fisherman, and boaters alike. Hydrilla is a very invasive aquatic weed that chokes out lakes and kills fish. In Florida, millions of dollars a year are spent to control this nasty plant. It is currently in some Pennsylvania waterways, but it has not yet reached local ponds and lakes and this can be prevented by thoroughly cleaning and drying your boat before changing water bodies. Eurasian watermilfoil is another example of a highly invasive, submerged, aquatic plant that forms dense mats that clog waterways and limit swimming and boating. It also degrades food, shelter, and nesting sites for fish.
Prevention methods and control for aquatic invasives is somewhat easier for the everyday citizen than terrestrial species. Some simple things you can do to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive plants and animals is to clean all of your fishing equipment including downrigger cables and monofilament lines on reels, and draining lake/river water from live well and bilges of your boats before leaving the access area.Also, the lethal temperature for most invasives is 110°F and requires 10 minutes treatment with water to ensure 100 percent mortality, so responsible maintenance and cleaning methods include cleaning all aquatic equipment with high pressure and/or hot (122°F) water after each use is a must.
Follow these articles all week to learn more about different invasive species and what you can do to help. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website has many fact sheets on various invasive species www.dcnr.state.pa.us/conservationscience/invasivespecies. For more information you can also contact the Penn State Extension Office or the McKean County Conservation District in Smethport.
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Groshek is the communications and outreach director for the McKean County Conservation District in Smethport. Bohn is an extension educator, forestry and natural resources, for Penn State Extension, McKean County, in Smethport.
