How To Prevent Invasive Species Essay

How is michigan trying to stop the spread? Well, since 1993, ships who travel from ocean-to-ocean, have been required to replace their ballast water with ocean water before entering the Great Lakes(National Wildlife Federation). This proves that people are trying to eliminate the spread of invasives, and that this is a big issue. This process is known as ballast water exchange. Unfortunately, it doesn’t fully eliminate all of the estimated 160 new invasive species, carried over to the Great Lakes from ships' ballast tanks(National Wildlife Federation). Since the invasive species are so hard to take care of, the damage and removal can tend to cost billions of dollars. What can we do as ship owners or knowing someone with a ship? The spread of invasive species in the Great Lakes can’t necessarily be completely stopped, but it can be prevented or reduced. Since it’s extremely difficult to control the spread of invasive species once it is set up, it makes prevention the most cost-effective approach to dealing with any marine species that haven’t spread to the Great Lakes. Almost anyone can do something. Here are some suggestions and further, less cost-effective tips to prevent the spread of invasive species. If you are a boater, paddler, or an angler, you can help by inspecting for and removing any aquatic plants, animals and/or mud from boats and equipment before transporting it from 1 …show more content…
Invasive Species might seem just like any other animal in the Great Lakes. However, these nuisances aren’t like any other species. Think of invasive species like asthma, for example. No matter how much someone wished for it to go away, asthma is like baggage weighing you down. Invasive species are just like asthma. They are their own baggage. What we need to do is follow these tips on how to prevent invasive species, get an inhaler,and reduce that baggage! One small step can make a big difference. So, are you willing to take that