Stop Exotics - Clean Your Boat
University of Minnesota
11 minutes
2000

Narrator: "Sure looks like a great day to be in the water don't you think? Then again when 
you're into boating is there ever not a great day to on the water? For the next few minutes, 
I'm going to talk about something important if you want waterways like this one to go 
boating on forever. You’ve heard about it...you've read about it...and today you're going 
to see how easy it is to do something about it 
Aquatic Nuisance species - invasive plants and animals introduced into marine and 
freshwater where they are not native and don't belong. Come on let's head down to the 
boat access and see what we can find."

Cliff: "Ah, quite the contrary my friend. Coming home with an empty stringer of fish 
does not constitute a lousy day of fishing. No siree Bob. Yeah its a little known fact that 
catching too many fish can have an adverse reaction in males of European descent which 
could lead to carpal tunnel syndrome."

Narrator: "Excuse me, sir?"

Cliff: "Oh hey, how are you doing there? Just my friend here a little bit about angling. 
Looks like he jinxed me. Its funny how most people call it fishing but its really 
angling…heh heh… that cracks me up"

Narrator: "Sir, I'd like to talk to you about aquatic nuisance species, you know zebra 
mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil, hydrilla and other invaders."

Cliff: "Believe it or not, I know all about that"

Narrator: "You do?"

Cliff: "Oh sure - by the way do you know how the Eurasian milfoil got its name?

Narrator: "No, I guess I don't"

Cliff: "This noxious weed became quite a nuisance in 17th century Europe because it 
invaded mill ponds. It was here that clumps of the weed would break off and clog up the 
mills - this foiling their operations. Hence the name milfoil. Now, as you were saying"

Narrator: "Yes - aquatic nuisance or exotic species, any time they are introduced to new 
places they can grow quickly and crown out native species and harm recreation. once 
they start they are almost impossible to get rid of. In fact if you're not careful they could 
even end up here."

Cliff: "Where in this lake?"

Narrator: "Yes - in this lake. And do you know how they could end up in this lake? It 
usually starts with boaters who don't know all the facts to stop them from spreading"

Cliff: "I here you there. That's why I'm one of the more knowledgeable boaters this side 
of the Nile - which happens to be 4800 miles long"

Narrator: "So, tell me - what sort of things do you look for when trailing your boat 
access?"

Cliff: "Yeah - I’ve got a keen eye for this sort of thing, because I eat a lot of carrots - so if 
I see any of that stuff on my boat, I take it off, get rid of them - you betcha."

Narrator: "Let's have a look shall we. Before we check your boat - any idea what these 
exotic species look like? There are hundreds of different ones you know."

Cliff: "I'll have you know you're talking to a closet biology fanatic."

Narrator: "Why did I know that?"

Cliff: "Well first you've got your zebra mussel. They are about the size of my fingernail 
and they are native to the freshwater sea Caspian sea in Asia. Here in America they were 
first discovered near the St. Clare area near Detroit. They probably came over on 
commercial vessels from overseas. These little guys clog water systems and power plants, 
water treatment facilities, cause problems for fish and wildlife, and stink up those 
beaches, costing everybody a lot of money. Then you've got your Eurasian watermilfoil, 
a plant with twenty one pairs of leaflets that form dense mats that crowd out native water 
plants and crowd waterways. They spread from lake to lake by clinging to boats trailers 
and the like. And last but certainly not least you've got your hydrilla. This looks like your 
basic aquarium plant with spear shape leaves that have saw toothed edges. You see 
hydrilla removes oxygen from the water and causes fish to die not to mention making 
shallow waters impassable. Any questions?"

Narrator: "Yes, now can we take a look at your boat?"

Cliff: "Yeah sure - looks like we're good to go - Have yourself a good day."

Narrator: "Oh sir? - Aren't you forgetting something? Knowing what exotic species look 
like is just the start. Here's what you need to do. Thoroughly inspect your boat, trailer and 
equipment and remove all plants and animals before leaving any water body. Don't forget 
those little places like valve lines, license plates, wiring, lights, rollers or bunks, floors, 
axels, motor and trolling motor, transducer, fish nets and anchors. Then drain all water 
from your boat especially live wells and bait buckets."

Cliff: "Yeah Lord knows I'm going to need plenty of room in this live well for those 
lunkers."

Narrator: "Next dispose of unwanted bait on shore. Never release left over bait or for that 
matter any unwanted aquarium plants or fish or snails into a water body. And be careful 
of bait buckets. If you dip them into infested waters they can contain zebra mussels you 
can't even see. Most exotics die within a few days but some can survive nearly two weeks 
outside of water. If you moor your boat for more than a day make sure you do some 
additional things. Either rinse your boat or trailer with hot tap water at least 104 degrees 
or spray with high pressure water checking all nooks and crannies around depth sounders 
and trailer gaps. Then allow them to dry for at least five days."

Cliff: "Ah,  that was easy as pie."

Narrator: "It is easy. And it’s important for someone who uses our waterways to help take 
care of our waterways. Now if you'll excuse me I have to find someone with a sailboat."

Cliff: "Oh why didn't you say so. You are talking to the admiral here. You know over 85 
percent of the earth's surface is covered with water. That's why I like to spend 85 percent 
of my free time on the water. Is that a wacky coincidence or what? Hey, I got an idea. I'll 
go get a sailboat and meet you at Round Lake tomorrow."

(The next day)

Cliff: "This is your basic 14 foot sail boat so as not confuse you novices."

Narrator: "Okay -so how is checking a sailboat different than checking a fishing boat?"

Cliff: " Ah, very good question. You know its a little known fact that the sailboat has 
been around since the Aztecs invented the bed sheet. In fact, I believe the word translates 
into English as bonsetter."

Narrator: "You don't say. But can we get back to business. The same basic checkpoints 
apply to a sailboat. Remove all plants and animals from your sailboat before leaving a 
water body. Don't forget to check the centerboard where it retracts into the hull, plus the 
rudder and transom. Drain all water before you leave a water body. And wash and dry 
your boat and equipment the same way you would a fishing boat- got that?"

Cliff: "Oh hey you don't have to tell me twice. You know the human mind is a veritable 
sponge. Yours truly happens to have one labeled extra absorbent."

Narrator: "So tell me Admiral, mind if I call you Admiral?'

Cliff: "Hey, I'd be honored."

Narrator: "OK Admiral. I have one more thing to cover. Any chance you might have a 
personal watercraft? Now don't you go away. I’ll be back faster than you can say zebra 
mussel."

Cliff: "Does the sun rise in the east? Look if it goes on the water, I can get one"

(Minutes later)

Cliff: "Yeah being on one of these reminds me of my youth. Did I ever tell you about the 
time I was in the Indy 500?"

Narrator: “We better move on before we draw a crowd."

Cliff: "Good idea"

Narrator: "OK, you were just out running your personal watercraft. Now what do you do 
to help stop the spread of aquatic nuisance species?"

Cliff: "Well I check for plant and animal life and then I yank them off."

Narrator: "Yes, but a personal watercraft is a little different. Underneath you have a jet 
drive system that holds water and could easily trap exotic species and transport them to 
new waters if you're not careful. Here are a few simple steps you need to know. First, 
don't run your engine through aquatic plants before you leave the water. Push or wench 
your watercraft on to the trailer without running the engine. Look under the watercraft 
and pull all plants from the water intake area. Make sure you check the edges of the grate 
in this area. Now simply start and run your engine for 5 to 10 seconds to blow out any 
excess water and vegetation."

Cliff: "Check"

Narrator: "Turn off the engine and pull all plants from the steering nozzle."

Cliff: "Check a doodle"

Narrator: "Inspect your trailer and pother equipment for plants and plant fragments and 
remove them before you leave the access. And finally, wash your watercraft for anything 
you missed or dry them for five days."

Cliff: "I think I've got it."

"Narrator: "You are a quick study."

Cliff: "I'm smart. I've been told I'm ruggedly handsome. I own a lot of boats and I love to 
fish. You might say I'm a man. M-A-N."

Narrator: "Yes you are. On that note..."

Cliff: "Remember your aquatic nuisance species; zebra mussels, Eurasian milfoil, 
hydrilla and others. You know as a guy who loves being on water we share a special 
bond. And we share a special responsibility to stop the spread of exotics. It only takes a 
few minutes to do the simple steps we just covered. Inspect you boat or watercraft and its 
trailer. Drain all water and get rid of all live bait on shore then wash and dry your boat 
and trailer. If you've moored your boat in infested waters, wash it first, then dry it for at 
least five days. Do it for your country. Do it for your fellow man. Do it for your love of 
the water"

Narrator: "Very moving. Kind of brings a tear to your eye"

Cliff: "Yeah you know some people have a way with words and others.. not have way."

Narrator: "And there you have it. Remember, control the spread of aquatic nuisance 
species and have a great day on the water."

Cliff: "Hey hey hey, not so fast. The Admiral here has several more vessels in his fleet. 
I'll go get them ok?...Hey, don't leave yet. What do you want…a race boat? Catamaran? 
Hydro foil? How about a canoe? I got an inner tube in the garage..."

Stop Exotics - Clean your boat

Featuring: John Ratzenberger
Produced by Douglas A. Jensen and Marie E. Zhulkov
University of Minnesota Sea Grant Program
and Pro Video Productions, Duluth, Minnesota

Technical Consultants:
Michelle Bratager, Minnsota DNR
Jodi Cassell, University of California Sea Grant Program
Linda Drees, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 6
Jeffrey Gunderson, University of Minnesota sea Grant Program
Mary Pat McKeown, U.S. Coast Guard
Scott Newsham, U.S. Coast Guard
William (Jay) Rendall, Minnesota DNR
Kim Webb, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 1
Mike Simpson, In-Fisherman Communications Network

Sponsors:
University of Minnesota Sea Grant Program
U.S. Coast Guard
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 1 and 6
Minnesota DNR, Exotic Species Program
Universoty of California Sea Grant Program
Scaland Technology,Incorporated
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Special Thanks:
In-Fisherman Communications Network, Brainerd, Minnesota
Causeway on Gull, Lakeshore, Minnesota
Duluth Convention and Visitors Bureau, Duluth, Minnesota
Grand View Lodge, Nisswa, Minnesota
Minnesota DNR Trails and Waterways, Brainerd, Minnesota
Pierz Marine on Gull Lake, Lakeshore, Minnesota
White Bear Boat Works, White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Footage Provided by:
ITV, Bacco Raton, Florida
University of Florida
Minnesota DNR

For copies of this videotape
call 218/726-6191
Refer to item x65

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer

Copyright 2000
Regents of the University of Minnesota
All Rights Reserved