Aquatic Invasive Species

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)

Aquatic invasive species are plants or animals that live in water where they don’t naturally belong. They usually get there by accident, often because of human activities like shipping or fishing. Once they arrive, they can cause lots of problems.

1. Harm to Nature: Aquatic invasive species can take over places and push out the plants and animals that should be there. This messes up the natural balance and hurts the environment.
2. Problems for People and Jobs: These species can create problems for us, too. They can block rivers and lakes, making it hard for boats to move. They can also ruin fishing spots, which is bad for businesses and jobs that rely on fishing or people visiting the area.
3. Damage to Infrastructure: Some aquatic invasive species can even damage structures like docks, levees, and water pipes.
4. Ruin Fun: For people who enjoy activities like fishing, boating, or swimming, these invasive species can make their favorite spots less enjoyable or even unsafe.

In short, aquatic invasive species are a big problem because they disrupt nature and can cause trouble for humans in terms of the economy and our enjoyment of natural waterways.

How Aquatic Invasive Species Spread

The threat from AIS is getting bigger because it’s now easier to move these organisms across waterways, states, and even countries! They can hitch a ride on boat hulls, fishing gear, clothes, and even get transferred with fishing bait.