Good news for protecting Wisconsin lakes, but more work remains
Contact: Bret Shaw, 608-890-1878, brshaw@wisc.edu
Madison, Wis.– Wisconsin boaters and anglers changed their behaviors to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in 2010 according to a recent survey conducted by researchers at UW-Madison.
Eighty-seven percent said they remove plants from their boat before leaving the landing in 2010 compared to 76 percent in 2009. Adopting this practice is important because boat traffic between lakes is the primary way that aquatic invasive plants such as Eurasian Water Milfoil and Curly-Leaf Pondweed spread to new, uninfected lakes.
There were also improvements in behaviors associated with new invasives laws implemented in 2009 to further prevent the spread of aquatic invasives and diseases such as Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS). In 2010, 90 percent of anglers drained the water from their boats as compared to 81 percent in 2009; 75 percent did not move live fish in 2010 compared to 69 percent in 2009; and 47 percent did not add water to their bait containers compared to 35 percent in 2009. These steps are important because transferring water, bait or sport fish between bodies of water can facilitate the spread of VHS and other aquatic invasives.
“These findings are mostly good news for protecting Wisconsin lakes,” said Bret Shaw, environmental communication specialist for UW-Extension and assistant professor at UW-Madison. “Results indicated that ongoing efforts to educate boaters and anglers about steps to prevent aquatic invasive species have paid off with a higher percentage of boaters and anglers following recommended practices.”
However, while results were encouraging, there was still more opportunity for improvement. “While compliance increased between 2010 and 2009, it only takes one boater or angler to spread aquatic invasive species. There is still work to be done,” said Dominique Brossard, UW-Madison associate professor and co-Investigator of the study.
Greater compliance with the AIS-prevention steps was related to increased awareness between 2009 and 2010 about how AIS can damage Wisconsin’s fisheries. Boaters and anglers were also more likely between 2010 and 2009 to follow preventative steps to avoid getting a ticket for disobeying the law.
The Badger Polls conducted in 2009 and 2010 surveyed approximately 507 and 540 people (respectively) randomly chosen within households with working land lines; the results were weighted to correct for those with only cell phones. Results from these surveys have a margin of error of approximately plus or minus 4 percent. Professors Bret Shaw and Dominique Brossard and graduate student, Kajsa Dalrymple conducted the study in a partnership with UW-Extension, the Department of Life Sciences Communication at UW-Madison and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
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