A must-read for all recreational users
Follow a general set of procedures as every time you come into contact with a body of water. By doing so, you can help protect our waterways from the spread of aquatic weeds.
It is not only bush areas that are threatened by weeds, it is our wetlands and waterways and dams that are also suffering as a result of weed invasion. Serious aquatic weeds like Water Hyacinth, Salvinia and Cabomba are notorious around the world. These weeds are very invasive and out-compete local species and seriously affect the local ecology and water quality.
This silent invasion is a threat that can seriously impact our waterways and dams and potentionally impact the recreation use of our lakes. Everyone has a role to play to help protect our waterways.
How you can help
Remove all visible mud and plants before leaving.
It is important to examine all your equipment, boats, trailers, boots, buckets etc. Weeds are able to reproduce from even the smallest of fragments or seeds.
It is important to examine all your equipment, boats, trailers, boots, buckets etc. Weeds are able to reproduce from even the smallest of fragments or seeds.
Eliminate water from all equipment before transporting it anywhere
Much of the recreational equipment used in the water contains spots where water can collect and may
harbour plant fragments and seeds.
Clean and dry anything that came into contact with the water
Clean boats, motors, trailers, floats, anchors etc before leaving. If possible allow the equipment to dry for
about 5 days before entering new waters.
Do not release or put plants, fish or animals into a body of water unless they came out of that body of water.
This is an important prevention step to step the spread of introduced species of plants and animals in our waterways.
Water HyacynthWeed Description: A floating, aquatic weed with attractive light purple flowers. Water hyacinth is capable of reproducing very rapidly through either runners or stolons and can form dense mats where these plants have been introduced.
SalviniaProblem: Dense infestations restrict navigation and water access. Can deoxygenate water, resulting in the death of fish and other aquatic life. Light penetration and pH levels are reduced. Stranded animals may drown.
Cabomba
is an aggressive invader of freshwater systems, particularly if they are nutrient rich. It is a fully submerged aquatic plant that competes with native freshwater plants. It can impede aquatic recreational activities and drowning is a risk for entangled swimmers.