Last week’s article, “Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers,” was intended as an alert about how bad aquatic hitchhikers can be once deposited in a lake, river, pond or other water ways. An article in the May 8 Texas Outdoor News, used by permission from Editor/Publisher Craig Nyhus, provides additional information into just how serious the situation can be. 

The battle call against eht giant salvinia sounded anew last month as state officials caught a boater with the invasive aquatic plant hitchhiking a ride on his trailer at Sam Rayburn Reservoir.

The floating plant spreads prolifically and wreaks havoc underwater by choking off sunlight. Without sunlight, other plants and fish suffer.

During a recent bass fishing tournament on Sam Rayburn that attracted as many as 5,000 boats, Howard Elder, aquatic vegetation control specialist for Texas Parks and Wildlife, found evidence warnings are being ignored.

“We found giant salvinia on trailers at ramps and in the water around those ramps,” he said. “People brought giant salvinia with them. Before the tournament we had giant salvinia contained, it may not be anymore.”

Salvinia if found in nine East Texas lakes: Caddo, Toledo Bend, Sheldon, Texana, Conroe, Sam Rayburn, B.A. Steinhagen, Center City and Raven. The plant has been removed from five others: Pinkston, Brady, Branch, Palestine, Cross and Lake o’the Pines.

TPW has been on an education campaign about the dangers of spreading salvinia, a native of Brazil, where it’s kept in check by insects. Signs have been posted, and more publicity has been given to the plant.

Authorities might increase their war-waging on the plant further. Tickets carrying a $500 fine – per plant – can be written to boaters transporting the plant on their rigs.

“Boat trailers are serving as the primary vector of transmission for giant salvinia,” said Craig Bonds, regional director for TPW’s inland Fisheries Division. “If giant salvinia establishes colonies near boat ramps at Sam Rayburn, many other reservoirs will be threatened by this plant due to the high frequency of boat trailers leaving the reservoir for destinations all over Texas and the United States.

Increased Fees Approved

Hunter and anglers will be paying $2 to $4 more for hunting and fishing licenses this fall since the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved the change in late May. Boaters will pay more for titling and registration, too, in accordance with a fee schedule increase commissioners approved.