News Release Archives - May 2009
May 18, 2009
Water Enthusiasts Reminded of ANS Regulations
Anglers, boaters and personal watercraft users are reminded to abide by regulations that prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species into and within North Dakota.
Robert Timian, chief of enforcement for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, said game wardens and fisheries personnel will conduct check stations this summer in an effort to ensure compliance. “It has been more than a year since prevention guidelines became law, so water recreationists shouldn’t be surprised by this,” Timian said. “Just be prepared and abide by the rules.”
ANS include nonnative aquatic animals, plants and diseases that have the likelihood to become well-established if introduced. A good example of an aquatic nuisance species found in a number of North Dakota waters is the common carp, which have caused tremendous damage to the state’s aquatic resources over the years.
To comply with regulations, water enthusiasts must:
- Inspect and remove all aquatic vegetation from boats, personal watercraft, trailers, and associated equipment such as fishing poles and lures before leaving a body of water.
- Remove all aquatic vegetation from bait containers when leaving the water.
- Drain all water from boats and other watercraft, including bilges, livewells and motors, at the ramp site before leaving a water body. The only exception is livewells used to transport game fish or baitfish, and potable water and sewage water which must be disposed of properly.
- Not transport live aquatic bait or aquatic vegetation into North Dakota. All water must be drained from watercraft upon entering the state.
- Not dump bait into any North Dakota water.
- Not introduce any fish into North Dakota water.
- Not transport nongame fish (other than legal live baitfish) in water away from the water body in which they were taken.
Anyone witnessing an ANS infraction can report the violation by calling a local game warden, or the Report All Poachers hotline at (800) 472-2121.
More ANS information can be found in the 2008-10 North Dakota Fishing Guide and by accessing the Game and Fish Department website at gf.nd.gov.
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