Aquatic Invasive Species

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Aquatic Invasive Species

Intro to Invasive Quagga Mussels

		Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) are threatening the public’s angling and boating recreation and our state’s water and electrical infrastructure. It is critical for anyone who owns or uses watercraft, or has a business reliant on watercraft, to understand the essential nature of this aquatic invasive species containment effort by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The spread of quagga mussels and other aquatic invasive species has far-reaching impacts, both financial and ecological, that can touch virtually every resident of the state. Whether you fish, or boat, or simply get water and electricity to your home, these aquatic invaders WILL affect your lifestyle…and possibly your wallet. Aquatic Invasive Species are defined in state statute {A.R.S. §17-255} as: “…any aquatic species that is not native to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction or presence in this State may cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.” {A.R.S. §17-255.1}. It does not include, “...any non-indigenous species lawfully of historically introduced into this State for sport fishing recreation.” {A.R.S. §17-255.2(a)}

		Arizona’s Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Interdiction Act (HB2157) was approved and signed into law in July of 2009. This legislation created a mechanism for the State of Arizona to statutorily address invasive species in the aquatic environment, administered through the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The AIS Interdiction Act also provided for the establishment of the Department’s AIS Program, along with the creation of AIS “Director’s Orders” and associated watercraft cleaning/decontamination protocols. The current AIS Director’s Orders are in effect as of March 1, 2011. Please note the area to the right called “Current AIS Resources” for further information.

Watercraft Owners and/or Transporters.. You need to know this!

Rule-Article 11 Aquatic Invasive Species
Watercraft Decontamination Protocols
AIS Boat Inspection Report Form

Current Aquatic Invasive Species Program Events/Meetings

Watercraft Inspection Training (WIT) - Level II

March 13-14, 2012 (Completed)
Lake Pleasant Operations Center
Scorpion Bay Marina
To sign up contact: Tom McMahon at 623 236-7271

Next training classes winter/ spring 2013
Central Arizona Quagga Team Meeting – OPEN to interested public

July 12, 2012 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Arizona Game and Fish Department -

Main Office - Eagle Room

5000 W. Carefree Highway
Phoenix, 85086

Current Arizona Game and Fish Department Director’s Orders
signed, approved and filed with the Secretary of State as of March 1, 2010

Director’s Order 1 - List of aquatic invasive species (AIS)

Quagga Mussel (Dreissena bugensis)
Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha)
Rusty Crayfish (Orconectus rusticus)
Red Claw Crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus)
New Zealand mudsnail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum)
Didymo, a.k.a. rock snot (Didymosphenia geminata)
Giant Salvinia (Salvinia molesta)

Director’s Order 2 - List of AIS affected waters

Lake Mead - QM, NZM
Lake Mohave - QM, NZM
Lake Havasu - QM, Didymo
Lower Colorado River below Lake Havasu to Mexico - QM, GSalv
Lake Pleasant - QM
Lee's Ferry - NZM

Director's Order 3 - Mandatory Conditions for Movement

The mandatory conditions for watercraft and boating equipment differ for Day Users (watercraft in listed AIS affected waters for 5 days or less) and Long Term or Moored Watercraft (watercraft in listed AIS Affected Waters for more than 5 days). All equipment (angling and boating) used in listed AIS affected waters should be "Clean, Drain & Dry" before using in any other water.

Current AIS Resources

-	State of Arizona - Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan
-	Director’s Order #1 – List of aquatic invasive species for Arizona [PDF, 29kb]
-	Director’s Order #2 – List of waters where aquatic invasive species are present [PDF, 39 kb]
-	Director’s Order #3 – Mandatory conditions for movement of watercraft [PDF, 50kb]
-	Boat Cleaning Procedures Watercraft Decontamination Protocols
-	Required Boat Inspection Form (AISBIR) AIS Boat Inspection Report Form
	AIS Rules Rule-Article 11 Aquatic Invasive Species

Arizona AIS Risk Analyses

-	quagga mussel
-	zebra mussel
-	rusty crayfish
-	red claw crayfish
-	New Zealand mudsnail
-	rock snot, a.k.a. Didymo
-	giant salivinia
-	apple snail
-	asian carp
-	northern snakehead

Additional AIS Resources

-	Arizona's Aquatic Invasive Species Interdiction Act of 2009
-	10 Most Unwanted Arizona Invasive Species
-	Quarantine/dry time estimator for mussel-affected boats
-	Defending Favorite Places(Video)
-	Don't Move a Mussel 100th Meridian Initiative (Video)
-	Playing Smart Against Invasive Species (Video)

Related AZGFD Info

-	Golden algae in Arizona
-	Watercraft
-	Sport Fishing Education
-	Economic Impact
-	Sign up for AZGFD eNews
-	Wildlife Photo Gallery

Downloads [More]

Fishing, Urban & Reptile/ Amphibian Regulations

2012 Urban Fishing Guidebook and Regulations
[PD F, 11m b]
2011-2012 Fishing Regulations
[PDF, 7.2mb]
2011 & 2012 Amphibian and Reptile Regulations [PDF]

Arizona Residency Requirements
[PDF]

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