A
Aquatic Invasive ti I
i Species in Wisconsin
Erin Henegar
Wisconsin Lakes Convention
March 20, 2009
Wisconsin Lakes Partnership
Science
Citizens
Education
Main Topics
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Our problem ‐ aquatic invasive hitchhikers
Our problem ‐
aquatic invasive hitchhikers
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Species Profiles ‐ more info on a few species causing the problem
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bl
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What Wisconsin is doingg about the problem
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AIS Grants
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Laws & Regulations on AIS
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Resources—where
Resources
where to go for more information
to go for more information
What are Invasive Species?
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Non‐native species that Non‐native
species that
can “take over”
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Not all non‐native species are invasive
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Successful because:
z No natural predators, parasites, etc.
z Native species can’t hide, compete, or fight back
z Often aggressive, prolific, and mature early
How do they get here?
¾ Shipping Shipping ‐ ballast water
ballast water
¾ Intentional introduction ‐ stocking
l migration from the ocean
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i f
h
¾C
Canals ‐
¾ Nursery industry
¾ Anglers/Bait industry
¾ Aquaculture
¾ Aquarium trade
How do they spread?
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Boaters
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Anglers
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Other water users (sea planes, SCUBA, etc) ¾
Water garden & aquarium owners
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Natural dispersal
Why do we care?
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Economic impacts
z Sport and commercial fishing
z Tourism
z Water users & property owners
¾ Ecological
z Native fish, invertebrates, plants impacted ¾ Recreational impacts
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z Boating
z Angling
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Zebra Mussels
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Ballast water introduction to the Great Lakes in 1980’s
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Present in 118 WI inland lakes (Dec 2008)
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Attach to any hard surface ‐ may reach tens of thousands per ht
f th
d
square meter!
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Are microscopic in early life A
i
i i
l lif
stages
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FFemale can produce 1 million l
d
1 illi
eggs/season
Zebra Mussel Distribution
Quagga Mussels
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Found in all Great Lakes but Superior
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Ballast water introduction
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Can survive wide range of temp. & oxygen levels
p
yg
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Can live directly on mud and sand
and sand
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Commonly found at 100 feet and deeper
feet and deeper
Quagga
Q gg vs. Zebra Mussels
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More effective filter feeders
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Thrive at greater depth and cooler temps
and cooler temps
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May out‐compete ZM
Zebra
Quagga
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Quagga ‐ rounder sides & Quagga
rounder sides &
convex underside ¾
ZM ‐ triangular shape & flat underside
Eurasian Water
Eurasian Water‐‐milfoil
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First found in WI in First
found in WI in
1960s
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Currently found in 467 Currently
found in 467
WI lakes (Dec. 2008)
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Forms dense mats ‐
Forms
dense mats
interferes with water recreation
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Can spread from small fragments
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Eurasian Water‐‐milfoil Water
Distribution
Purple Loosestrife
Linda Wilson, University of Idaho, Bugwood.org
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Imported from Europe for gardens (late 1800s), also seeds in ballast water
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Crowds out native wetland species
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Spreads rapidly: >1 million seeds annually plus
seeds annually, plus vegetative spread
Purple Loosestrife
Distribution
Purple loosestrife is Purple
loosestrife is
now found in every county in WI.
Rusty Crayfish
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Brought to WI as bait 1960’s
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In 445 inland lakes and streams (Dec. 2008)
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Severely reduce aquatic Severely
reduce aquatic
vegetation, impacting spawning
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Aggressive; compete with native crayfish and fish for y
cover and food
ID tip: Dark, rusty spot on each side of carapace.
h d f
Curly‐
Curly
Cu y‐leaf Pondweed
ea o d eed
Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org
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Accidentally introduced as y
aquarium plant (1880s)
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Fairly widespread –
Fairly
widespread in 277 in 277
water bodies (Dec. 2008)
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Active very early in growing season – even under ice
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Can form dense mats, interfering with recreation and native plants
Spiny & Fishhook Waterfleas
p y
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Ballast water introduction to Great Lakes in 1980s
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Found in two inland WI lakes—Gile Flowage (Iron Co ) & Stormy Lake
(Iron Co.) & Stormy Lake (Vilas Co.)
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Disrupt food chain & Disrupt food chain &
harm native fish
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Foul fishing gear—form Fo
l fishing gear form
gummy clumps
Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia
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Documented in Lake Documented
in Lake
Winnebago, Lake Michigan, & Green Bay
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Can kill more than 25 fish species
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Shed in urine & reproductive fluids
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Introduced by ballast water or migrating fish ?
migrating fish ‐
VHS Di t ib ti Distribution (as of Oct. 2007)
Rules and Regulations: Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia
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May not move live fish or fish eggs from affected waters EXCEPT for minnows purchased from WI bait dealer
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Must drain all water from boats and equipment; can transport live minnows in 2 gal. water
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May use dead fish or fish eggs for bait in some
eggs for bait in some instances
Many More in Wisconsin…
R i b
Rainbow Smelt
S lt
Round Goby
Round Goby
Mystery Snails
Ruffe
And Many More on the Way…
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y
A few future threats:
New Zealand mud snail
Water hyacinth
Northern Snakehead
Northern Snakehead
Asian carp
Photo: John Lyons
Wisconsin’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program
¾ Education & Outreach
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Statewide coordination
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Publications & boat launch signs
Publications & boat launch signs
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Displays & presentations
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Media
Contact: Julia Solomon
608‐267‐3531
Christal Campbell
608‐266‐0061
Wisconsin’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program
¾ Watercraft Inspection
Watercraft Inspection
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DNR inspection program places staff at high‐traffic boat landings
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‘Clean Boats, Clean Waters’ trains volunteers to monitor landings and educate boaters
Contact: Erin Henegar
715‐346‐4978
Wisconsin’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program
¾ Volunteer Monitoring
Volunteer Monitoring
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Volunteers collect data on l k h l h i l di
lake health including aquatic i
invasives
Data used to map extent of spread for species
Contact: Laura Herman
715‐365‐8998
Wisconsin’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program
¾ Purple Loosestrife
Purple Loosestrife
Biological Control
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z
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Volunteers help raise & Volunteers
help raise &
release beetles
Beetles available for B
tl
il bl f
free—great school or family project
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Contact: Brock Woods
608‐221‐6349
Paul Skawinski
Galerucella
Ga
e uce a ca
calmariensis
a e ss
Wisconsin’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program
¾ AIS Grants
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$4.3 million available each year
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State funds up to 75% of project
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Local governments no longer given priority
Local governments no longer given priority
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Match includes cash, volunteer time, services, etc.
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Funds provided as reimbursement
Contact: Regional Lake Coordinator
Aquatic Invasive Species Grants
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p
¾ Three grant categories
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Education, Prevention & Planning
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Early Detection & Rapid Response
Early Detection & Rapid Response
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Control of Established Infestations
Education, Prevention & Planning
,
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Deadlines February 1 & August 1
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g
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Up to $200,000
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Example projects:
z
z
z
z
z
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Watercraft inspections
Watercraft
inspections
Surveys and monitoring
Prevention and control plans
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Outreach efforts
Studies and assessments
Goal is to prevent spread of AIS
Wisconsin’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program
¾ Research
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UW Madison Center for Limnology developing gy
p g
“Smart Prevention” model
Model helps DNR make Model
helps DNR make
strategic management dec s o s
decisions
Contact: Jake Vander Zanden
Contact: Jake Vander Zanden
608‐262‐9464
Wisconsin’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program
¾ Rules
Rules to Prevent Spread
to Prevent Spread
z
z
Illegal to launch a boat known to have aquatic plants or h
l
animals attached
Restrictions on use and transport of some AIS
species
Laws and Regulations
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National Invasive Species Act
Coast Guard is responsible for regulating ballast water management NOBOB
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¾ Federal
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Federal Noxious Weed Regulations
D fi
Defines noxious weeds and restricts their movement
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d
d t i t th i
t
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2001 Wisconsin Act 109
¾ State
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VHS Regulations 2008
VHS Regulations 2008
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¾ Local
Established Invasive Species Council
Illegal to launch laws – WI Statute 30.715
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Restrictions on bait use & fish & water transport
Noxious Weed Ordinances
County AIS Transport Ordinances ‘07‐’08
Any other questions?