Invasive Species Inspections Begin Today in Oregon

Tempts me to tape some photos of the mussels and shove em in a scupper or 2 , better check them paddles too. 

Guys,

This is a huge issue down here in CA.  Whole lakes have been closed because of no inspection plans.  Groups have had to lobby hard to get them re-opened and find funding for inspections (as well as still getting charged).

I know it's a hassle, but the alternatives are worse.

-Allen

I posted a question over on ODFW's facebook page asking on locations and whatnot.  I havn't heard anything back yet.

This state needs to stop sitting on its collective hands and do something meaningful, that's why as of today I am nominating Andy Jade as Commissioner of the Oregon Genitalia Inspection Program. Mobile inspection stations will be strategically located in front of nightclubs, music festivals to prevent the spread of pecker pox and beaver weevils. 

Wait, what?  This makes it clear that I need to periodically search the forums for my name.

This state needs to stop sitting on its collective hands and do something meaningful, that's why as of today I am nominating Andy Jade as Commissioner of the Oregon Genitalia Inspection Program. Mobile inspection stations will be strategically located in front of nightclubs, music festivals to prevent the spread of pecker pox and beaver weevils. 

Wait, what?  This makes it clear that I need to periodically search the forums for my name.

That you should sir.   Also if your not willing to take the above mentioned position I just might be willing to step in for you.

I just got back from my native Upstate NY where I grew up fishing the Finger Lakes.  Non native species have really affect many of the Finger Lakes.  Zebra Mussels and Asian Clams have made the water gin clear.  Homes / Farms around the lake that fertilize have created weeds throughout the lake.  It used to be if you knew where the two weed beds were located on the lake, you could catch your limit of fish.  Now, most of the lake is covered with weeds.  Another invasive species is what they call water fleas that stick on to your line and bunch up while trolling.   It wasn't bad for us fishing last week.  We'd get a quarter sized hunk of goo that resembled half dried rubber cement in sections of the line.  Live Bait (minnows, moon eyes, etc) cannot be transported or sold without certification now because of some disease called VHS. The lake has changed quite a bit and fishing is rebounding. 

Seventeen Lake Trout and one nice brown trout in one trip had me thinking things were back to normal. 

My god, those two avatars are just majestic!  All is right in the thread now.  Go forth and inspect your boats.

My god, those two avatars are just majestic!  All is right in the thread now.  Go forth and inspect your boats.

Indeed.

-Allen

I just got back from my native Upstate NY where I grew up fishing the Finger Lakes. 

Not that anyone else cares but I grew up in Wolcott, NY north of the Finger Lakes on the shore of Lake Ontario.   Every time I go back home and fish I'm amazed at the changes that have been caused my invasive species like the water chestnut, the zebra mussel and the round goby.


By the way, my actual day job is studying invasive marine species, but many in my office work on freshwater species.  Personally I find them fascinating.. what happens if species X from some foreign place ends up in one of our bays?  Will it survive?  Will it dominate?  What will happen to the species it consumes and competes with?  How quickly will it spread?  Mostly I monitor distributions and look for patterns.   As a scientist I try to stay away from advocating for or against management decisions so I've been quiet on this thread.   I will however mention that education and prevention is probably the most cost effective thing the state can do in their battle against invasive species. 

Brian 

It is nice to swim barefoot without mussels slicing up your feet when you hit the shore. Something that is just a memory for lots of folks around the country.