5 Things You Can Do to Prevent Invasive Aquatic Species in Georgia

Thoughtless anglers and pet owners have introduced invasive aquatic animals into Georgia, threatening the state's native populations. According to the Georgia Invasive Species Task Force, invasive species are becoming a problem throughout the United States, and because they're non-native, they can cause economic or environmental damage and even threaten human health.

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Some were originally sold as pets and their owners released them into the wild. Others were introduced into non-native areas by anglers. Aquatic invasive species cost the United States more than $135 billion per year in environmental and economic damage to lakes and streams by harming native species, says the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Their damage economically is caused by discouraging fishermen and tourism and lowering property values, according to the Task Force.

Some examples of invasive species include the illegal introduction of blueback herring, threatening sunfish fishing as well as the ruin of the state's smallmouth bass fishery when fishermen moved spotted bass from Lake Lanier to Lake Chatuge. Other fisheries that were ruined by introduction of invasive flathead catfish are the redbreast sunfish and bullhead in the Altamaha River Basin. The Zebra mussel, introduced to the Great Lakes in 1985, threaten Georgia's native mussels and clog drinking water intakes as well as outboard motors.

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You can identify the problem species by visiting invasive.org. In the meantime, there are other things you can do to help stop the spread of invasive species in the following ways, says the

1. Never release live bait fish, aquarium fish, aquatic plants, or mussels into Georgia waters.

2. Dispose of bait fish after fishing so that they cannot enter a lake, pond, river, or stream.

3. Remove all plants, plant fragments, and mussels from your boat, motor, trailer, live well, and landing nets after taking your boat out of the water.

4. Clean your boat and equipment before leaving the landing.

5. Dry your boat and equipment for 10 to 14 days before using or launching again.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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