Transporting; Aquatic Invasive Species (Ais) - Mercury 5 HP FourStroke Propane Operation, Maintenance And Installation Manual

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)

STOP AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS!™
Be A Good Steward. Clean. Drain. Dry.
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AIS and their spread can detrimentally impact the boating experience and the
future of the boating lifestyle. Reducing the spread of AIS has led to significant
national efforts to inspect boats moving between water bodies or across state
and federal boundaries and could lead to delayed or denied access if AIS are
suspected or found on board.
AIS include plant life such as Eurasian watermilfoil and water hyacinth, and
animals such as spiny water flea, quagga, and zebra mussels. AIS may vary in
size from microscopic, to easily visible to the naked eye, and can live in
residual water or mud. These species damage ecosystems and negatively
impact fishing by depleting natural food resources, altering the water
environment, and changing the structure of the ecosystem.
The impact of AIS has already resulted in the limiting of boating access to
many waterways throughout North America, the closure of public boat ramps,
and the reduction of availability for fishing and boating across the United
States. Many federal, state, and local agencies have enacted laws and
regulations for inspections, permits, launch availability, and water access for
vessels entering public waterways.
Boats and associated equipment are major contributors to the spread of AIS.
Boats that have come into contact with AIS can become a means of
transportation through attachment and entrapment.
You should be aware that water passes in and out of the space under the lower
cowls on your engine during normal operation of the boat. When flushing and
cleaning your boat to control the spread of AIS, pay attention to this space by
directing flushing water into the spaces under the lower cowl. The engine
cooling system can be flushed by operating the engine with the appropriate
flushing attachment and introducing heated water to the engine.
For more information about the control of AIS in your area, please contact your
area wildlife conservation office or local governmental natural resources office.
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TRANSPORTING

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