How Anglers and Boaters Can Protect Fishing

1. How Anglers and Boaters Can Protect Fishing

2. Good Fish Habitat = Good Fishing What are the threats? What can we do?

3. The Threat: Reduced in-stream flows due to drought and increased water demand Freshwater inflow is crucial to bay and estuary systems and the life they sustain.

4. In 2001, the Rio Grande failed to reach the Gulf due to drought and overuse.

5. Texas’ population is expected to double by mid-century. An increasing demand for water will threaten other Texas rivers with the same fate if nothing is done.

6. What Can Anglers and Boaters Do? Practice water conservation at home and work. • Remember to: • Run appliances like dishwashers only when full. • 2.Use low-flow toilets and shower heads. • 3.Cut faucets off as soon as possible.

7. When watering your lawn… • Don’t use a fine mist sprinkler. • Don’t water when water is in short supply. • Don’t water during the heat of the day

8. Use biodegradable products for house and lawn care. NEVER dispose of cleaners or pesticides in a toilet, sink or storm drain.

9. www.texasthestateofwater.org Become knowledgeable about local water issues and support water conservation laws.

10. The Threat: Pollution from urban areas, industry and agriculture

11. The Threat: Development and poor land management that destroy wetland and riparian areas

12. The Threat: Dams, culverts and channelization that disrupt natural stream function and connections between water bodies

13. What Can Anglers and Boaters Do? • Support strong water conservation laws and laws that protect aquatic habitats. • Become knowledgeable about local water issues. • Support development practices that protect wetlands and riparian areas.

14. The Threat: Litter and illegal dumping

15. What Can Anglers and Boaters Do? Pick up any litter you find when fishing or boating. Clean up motor boat oil or gasoline spills. Take care at the pump.

16. Reduce use of non-recyclable items. Reuse and recycle items when possible. Report illegal dumping.

17. The Threat: Invasive species Giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta), a floating fern from southern Brazil, is currently one of the most problematic aquatic plants in Texas.

18. What Can Anglers and Boaters Do? Learn about aquatic invaders that threaten our rivers, lakes and streams. www.protectyourwaters.net Zebra Mussels Call a TPWD office if you see Giant Salvinia or Zebra Mussels and report what you see. Hydrilla

19. Clean boats, motors and trailers at the ramp when exiting the water. Drain bilges at the water’s edge.

20. Don’t dump bait buckets and aquariums in waterways.

21. The Threat: Boat propellers that destroy sea grass beds Propeller scars on seagrass beds

22. What Can Anglers and Boaters Do? Observe “no-prop” zones in shallow bays and estuaries.

23. The Threat: Improper dredging and sand and gravel mining

24. What Can Anglers and Boaters Do? • Be watchful when on the water. • Report any improper dredging and sand and gravel mining to local authorities.

25. Purchase fishing licenses.Observe fishing regulations.Teach others to fish.

26. Together…anglers and boaters can make a difference.