The Great Lakes harbor a number of aquatic invasive species that are detrimental to the health and economy of Michigan. To help protect its waters from aquatic invaders, the state declared June 1 through June 8, 2008, as Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness week. In July, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office in Alpena, Mich., raised public awareness about aquatic invasive species in Lake Huron. Anjanette Bowen, an NFWCO biologist, distributed WATCH identification cards for round goby, Eurasian ruffe, and bighead and silver carp to vendors along the lake’s coast. 

The third largest of the Great Lakes, Lake Huron contains both Eurasian ruffe and round goby, and the round goby has greatly expanded its range within the lake.  As invasive species, these fish compete with native species for food and habitat resources and reproduce more rapidly than their native counterparts. Two other invasive fish species, bighead and silver carp, have not yet become established within the Great Lakes. However, they are within approximately 50 miles from Lake Michigan in the Illinois River system. Biologists believe these species of Asian carp jeopardize the long-term sustainability of native species by competing for food resources. They grow quickly to large sizes, and silver carp can jump at least five feet out of the water and thus threaten the safety of water users.

Bowen has distributed WATCH cards to bait and fishing vendors since 1999. The cards, a product of the University of Minnesota Sea Grant Program, aid anglers in identifying, reporting and preventing the spread of aquatic invasives. Bowen distributed the cards in early July to more than 39 vendors along the coast of Lake Huron from Sault Ste. Marie to Bay City, Mich. Cooperation with bait and tackle dealers is the key to getting the word out to the public who frequent these shops for fishing and boating supplies. She distributed more than 6,200 aquatic invasive species educational materials during her visit this year. 

Alpena NFWCO focuses its education efforts on increasing public recognition of invasive species and providing information on what precautions should be taken to prevent the spread of these species. Its ultimate goal is to prevent or slow the spread of aquatic invasive species to inland waters and new areas.

Citizens can prevent the spread of unwanted aquatic invasive fish species by doing the following:

• learning to recognize invasive fish species
• reporting any unusual fish to local conservation offices
• disposing of unwanted live bait in the trash
• inspecting and removing invasive fish from their boats, live wells and bilges
• never releasing fish from one body of water into another
  

For more information on aquatic invasive species and how to protect your waters, visit the Protect Your Waters Web site at http://www.protectyourwaters.net/.

For more information on Michigan's Aquatic Species Awareness week visit the Michigan DEQ Web site at http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3313_3677_8314-191392--,00.html.

To learn more about Alpena NFWCO, go to http://www.fws.gov/midwest/alpena/index.htm.

For free WATCH cards, go to http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/exotics/cards.html