Arizona Game and Fish Department: AIS Program

1. Arizona Game and Fish Department: AIS Program Erin Raney Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator Southwest Tribal Fisheries Commission AIS Workshop - July 30-31, 2019

2. A.R.S. §17-255 Any aquatic species that is not native to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction or presence in this State may cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. Aquatic Invasive Species - Arizona Definition This definition does not include: • Any nonindigenous species lawfully or historically introduced for sport fishing. • Any species introduced by the department or by another governmental entity

4. Our Vision To halt the spread and eliminate, where possible, aquatic invasive species from becoming further established

5. Background • 2007 • Quagga mussels found at Lake Mead, Mohave and Havasu • Arizona Invasive Species Advisory Council formed • 2008 • Arizona Invasive Species Management Plan created and approved • 2009 • New Program was established focusing exclusively on AIS.

6. AIS Program Regulations • Law: A.R.S. §17-255 • Rule: R12-4-901 & 902 • Director’s Orders: 1, 2, 3

7. A.R.S. §17-255 AZ AIS Interdiction Act 2009 A.R.S. §17-255 • Defined Aquatic Invasive Species • Established the Aquatic Invasive Species Program • Director authorized to make Orders pertaining to AIS • Granted certain powers, prohibitions, violations, penalties • Owner/Transporter compliance

8. A.A.C. R12-4-901, 902 Article 9: Aquatic Invasive Species R12-4-901. Definitions R12-4-902. Aquatic Invasive Species; Prohibitions; Inspection, Decontamination Protocols • Requires vessels to be Clean, Drain, Dry • Remove all plugs and other valves...and...remain removed or open during transport.

9. Effective: September 15, 2018 Director’s Orders • DO1 = Establish an AIS List • DO2 = Establish an AIS List of Affected Waters • DO3 = Establish Mandatory Conditions for Movement of Watercraft/Equipment from AIS Affected Waters • Decontamination Protocols, which include:“Clean, Drain, and Dry”

10. Director’s Order 1 List of AIS

11. Director’s Order 2 AIS Affected Waters List • Colorado River: Lakes Powell, Mead, Mohave, Havasu, downriver to Mexico • Phoenix area: Lakes Pleasant, Apache, Canyon, Saguaro, Roosevelt, Lower Salt River, CAP • Some Community Fishing waters

12. Director’s Order 3 Mandatory Conditions of Watercraft/Equipment Movement • Day Users:5 or less days • Clean, Drain, Dry watercraft and equipment • Recommend an inspection if cannot meet dry times • Long-Term6 + consecutive days • Clean, Drain, Dry watercraft and equipment • AND Inspection and decontamination required • Dry time required • Other Equipment • Cleaning protocols

13. ZQM Veligers • Must be positive for all 3 tests in same sample • Cross-polarized microscopy • PCR • Gene Sequencing ZQM Settlers, Adults and Other AIS • Taxonomic identification by two independent experts. • DNA analysis may or may not be required. Positive ID of AIS

14. Quagga Mussels Timeline in AZ 2007-Discovered and infested in Lakes Mead, Mohave, Havasu, Central Arizona Project (CAP) canals and Lake Pleasant. 2013- Lake Powell 2015- First Suspected in Canyon Lake. Then later Apache, Canyon and Saguaro lake were confirmed as infested. 2016- Quagga Mussels were found and infested in Salt River Project canals (SRP)

15. Watercraft Inspection & Decontamination AZGFD coordinates WID throughout the state. • Federal partners, Contractors, and marinas assist with WIDs • Arizona uses protocols based on UMPS III. • Requirements (See Director’s Orders) • All vessels leaving listed waters must be cleaned, drained and dried. • Any vessel that has been moored in listed waters for 6 or more consecutive days must be decontaminated and meet dry times. • Those performing inspections or decontaminations in Arizona must be AZGFD certified, are subject to re-certification and quality control.

16. Types of WIDS in AZ • ZQM Containment Waters • Waters that have verified presence of zebra or quagga mussels. These waters are also listed in Director’s Order 2 • Off Water WIDS • Authorized locations that are not located at a waterbody • Inspections and Decontaminations are currently by appointment only

17. Boat Interception • Western States are intercepting zebra and quagga mussels watercraft more frequently • But WHY? • More infested waters and boat inspection programs

18. Hatcheries • No zebra or quagga mussels have been found in any AZGFD hatcheries. WHY? • AZGFD hatcheries have proactive measures in place to prevent AIS. • Use such protocols to protect sportfish and endangered species from disease and pests • Helps prevents AIS from spreading into other water bodies • Annual AIS inspections and HACCP • Precautionary measures for hatcheries

19. Aquatic Biologists • Department policy requires HACCP plans to prevent the spread of AIS to and from sites.

20. Western Regional State Activities

21. Current Efforts • WISCE-Western Invasive species Coordinating effort • QZAP- Quagga Zebra Action Plan for western waters • West 911- Email and phone alert system to intercept non-compliant boats • National Education Campaigns- Clean, Drain, Dry. Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers

23. Education and Outreach • The MOST important aspect to AIS • Each inspection and interaction is an opportunity to educate boaters and the public

24. Outreach & Education www.azgfd.gov/AIS

25. Questions?