Don't Move a Mussel

The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission has implemented emergency regulations to address the aquatic invasive species threat. Under this regulation, all watercraft using Wyoming waters are required to display an Aquatic Invasive Species decal. Costs for the decal under the emergency regulations are $10 for motorized watercraft registered in Wyoming, $30 for motorized watercraft registered in other states, $5 for non-motorized watercraft owned by Wyoming residents and $15 for non-motorized watercraft owned by non-residents. Inflatables 10 feet or less in length are exempt.

These fees will fund prevention efforts, enforcement, programs to educate the public about AIS,  and implementation of AIS regulations.

LINK

Drop the Zebra Mussel and step away from the RV!

From Erik Hanson, Invasive Species Coordinator for the Montana Department of Agriculture.

The Montana Department of Agriculture will be hiring 18 individuals to work this summer at invasive species checkstations at various sites throughout the state. The employees will be working with the public to provide information and education on invasive species and be inspecting boats, off-road vehicles, and rv’s for invasive species.

Three locations (Billings, Gardiner and Sidney) are weekend roving checkstations where the employees will travel between sites. The other three (Troy, Plains and Saint Regis) are single location seven day a week sites. See the links below for job descriptions. If you know of anyone looking for a summer job, pass it on. If you know of a good place to post the job listing please do so.

Invasive Species Inspector-Saint Regis (2 positions Full-Time) LINK

Invasive Species Inspector-Saint Regis (2 positions Part-Time) LINK

Invasive Species Inspector-Troy (2 positions Full-Time) LINK

Invasive Species Inspector-Troy (2 positions Part-Time) LINK

Invasive Species Inspector-Plains (2 positions Full-Time) LINK

Invasive Species Inspector-Plains (2 positions Part-Time) LINK

Invasive Species Inspector-Billings (2 positions Full-Time roving) LINK

Invasive Species Inspector-Gardiner (2 positions Full-Time roving) LINK

Invasive Species Inspector-Sidney (2 positions Full-Time roving) LINK

Uncle Jack's Didymo Killer

A possible solution for those of you not buying in to all the eco rubber hype and are still clinging to your felt soled wading shoes. 

According to the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research in New Zealand, Uncle Jack's Didymo Killer is 100% effective in killing Didymo on contact and will not harm you, your gear, or the environment.

This report by Vermont Fish and Wildlife also concludes there are some compelling reasons to use products containing the active ingredient found in Uncle Jack's, benzalkonium chloride, to control the spread of Didymo. Added Bonus? It's also effective against whirling disease.

LINK

New Zealand Mud Snails Infect Santa Monica Mountain Watersheds

Photo: Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times

Ironically it's the efforts to restore those same creeks that likely led to the rapidly spreading infestation.

New Zealand have taken over four watersheds in the Santa Monica Mountains and are spreading fast, expanding from the first confirmed sample in Medea Creek in Agoura Hills to nearly 30 other stream sites in four years.

LINK (Via:The LA Times)

Asian Carp - The Culinary Solution

Chicago chef turned fish monger Carl Galven supplied 100 pounds of Asian carp to some of his boutique restaurant customers and their hot shot chefs. Could they help Asian carp appeal to a larger market of eaters and ultimately take a bite out of the exploding population?

"So far, all I can say is that they are disgusting," reported Paul Kahan upon receiving his share at the Publican.

"The shape was salmon like, with a bull head," said David Carrier from Kith & Kin. "It kind of looked like a character from Return of the Jedi."

"They almost bleed like a land animal," said Browntrout chef Sean Sanders. "It's a very, very bloody fish."

Paul Kahan's crew didn't try that hard. "After a few attempts at butchering, we were adequately creeped out and will not go any further," he e-mailed.

Some chefs had better luck including Philip Voss who is the one struggling to fillet the fish in the video. Voss also posted his view of the Asian carp experiment on his foodie blog The Pickled Toungue.

Foss's Crisp Paupiette of Asian Carp in Barolo Sauce....mmmmmmm.

Alaka Bans Felt Sole

The Alaska Board of Fisheries has adopted a statewide ban on felt sole wading shoes beginning January 1, 2012.

Ted Williams has posted the TU press release applauding the move.

Because the ban is now statewide the Southeast Alaska ban on felt has been delayed until 2012 to coincide with the statewide measure.

Maybe the last sentence of TU the press release should me amended?

Between now and when the statewide prohibition on felt sole takes effect, TU urges anglers to always inspect, clean and dry their all fishing gear as a way to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Gives me the impression that once the ban takes effect there is no need to clean dry and inspect.