EAST TEXAS (KLTV) – Texas Parks and Wildlife is warning boaters about two invasive species threatening East Texas waterways as residents head to the lake for Fourth of July weekend.<\/p>\n
Giant salvinia and zebra mussels can attach to boats and trailers and spread from lake to lake without boaters knowing it, according to Monica McGarrity, senior scientist for aquatic invasive species with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.<\/p>\n
Threats to water, wildlife and boaters<\/p>\n
\u201cThey can damage boats, but they can also foul water infrastructure, causing costs for maintenance and mitigation,\u201d McGarrity said. \u201cThey can compete with filter feeding aquatic species and alter the food web, harm those native mussels. And then also, you know, just when you have damage to your boat or you have sharp shells on the shoreline that affects human health and, you know, quality of life.\u201d<\/p>\n
McGarrity said zebra mussels are already established in more than a dozen Texas lakes, including Lake Livingston.<\/p>\n
East Texas resident Doug Kelly said he has watched giant salvinia spread across East Texas lakes for years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe bigger issue is just the wildlife,\u201d Kelly said. \u201cThe salvinia will choke out a cove and depletes the oxygen and it\u2019s really not good for the fish.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clean, drain, dry<\/p>\n
Texas Parks and Wildlife is urging boaters to follow three steps: clean, drain and dry.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo make sure you\u2019re not carrying anything in a bilge or a live well, make sure all those are empty and then they get dry before you go to another lake,\u201d Kelly said.<\/p>\n
Texas Parks and Wildlife also advises wearing water shoes near the lake, even for those not swimming. Zebra mussel shells are razor-sharp and can cause serious cuts.<\/p>\n
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