What are Invasive Species?
Invasive species are plants, animals and even microbes that are introduced from other regions and aggressively out-compete native
species.
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How are Invasive Species spread?
Invasive Species are usually spread as a result of peoples' activities. Examples include zebra mussels from ships ballast water, carp
from illegal fish stocking, and Eurasian Milfoil from boat and gear transport.
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What harm do these critters do?
It varies with each species. For example, invasive aquatic plants can grow densely, crowd out native plants, reduce fish movements,
stunt growth, shade out the bottom, reduce the number of snails and other useful animals, and change water chemistry in dense plant beds.
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What's at stake?
Every year in the United States, Government agencies and private citizens spend over $100 million to combat invasive aquatic plants.
Closer to home, Vermont has spent over $6 million since 1980 to control these plants, and this year expects to receive over $700,000 in
requests from municipalities for help in dealing with the problem. In addition, invasive species cost billions of dollars in lost
recreation and property values, and ruin habitat for native species.
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Does Maine have a lot of Invasive Species?
Right now, Maine has at least 45 such species which range from green crabs in ocean waters to white carp in a number of rivers. There
are literally scores of other invasive species that have spread into other New England States in the last few decades. Maine has
documented at least 8 lakes and 2 rivers with invasive Variable Milfoil. We know of at least 10 other aquatic invasive plants which
are either in New England or likely to get here soon.
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Aren't all plants good for fish like bass?
Plant life in lakes and streams is essential to good fisheries. In moderate densities, aquatic plants provide just the right blend
of cover and edge for successful fish growth and places to produce forage for smaller fish. The very dense growths of plants often
seen with invasive species like Milfoil, and Water Chestnut, have the opposite effect.
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What is Maine doing about this problem?
In 2000, Maine launched an effort to prevent the spread of invasive species, starting with aquatic plants, the most obvious problem.
This includes educating people on how to avoid spreading plants, how to watch out for them, and what to do if you find them. The
effortwill also include thousands of voluntary boat inspections by wardens and volunteers, information will be given to incoming
motorists, and projects will be initiated to eradicate new infestations where possible. We are also cooperating with other states in
our region along with federal agencies.
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Why bother to do all this if the plants are going to get here anyway?
We know from other state's experiences, that we can slow down the spread and even prevent introductions in at least some instances. The
longer we keep these pests out, the more time we have to develop better control methods and the more recreation people can enjoy
without these species in their favorite lakes.
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When is a sticker required?
A Lake and River Protection Sticker is required to be posted within 3 inches of your current year's registration on the bow of all
motorboats when operating on inland waters. This sticker requirement applies to both motorboats registered in Maine and
motorboats from other states operating in Maine. For motorboats registered in Maine, the invasive plants sticker will cost $10.00.
For motorboats registered outside the State of maine, it will cost $20.00. No sticker is required for watercraft on tidal waters or for
canoes and other boats not required to be registered.
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What does this sticker pay for?
100% of the funds raised go to pay for efforts to prevent spread of invasive aquatic species. None of this money will be used for other
DIFW or DEP work. Along with new warden staff and DEP specialists, much of the money is going to volunteer work and education efforts
along with the boating inspections.
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Where do I get the sticker?
Stickers can be purchased at any of over 1400 DIFW agents that sell fishing and hunting licenses or where boats are registered. These
include town offices and hundreds of small stores, as well as some large retail chains. The cost is $10.00 for Maine registered boats
and $20.00 for those registered in other states while operating on Maine's inland waters.
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