Sea Grant Specialist talks about NYSG's new Invasive Species Launch Steward Program as part of Your News Now's "Discover Better Boating" Series

Spending some time out on a boat can be relaxing, but it's important to take some steps to make sure the water stays clean for everyone to enjoy. In this month's edition of Discover Better Boating, we'll learn more about how you can help fight the spread of invasive species.

Syracuse, NY, August 18, 2012 - "Welcome to Discover Better Boating. I'm Dave White and thanks for coming aboard! With the continued concern about the spread of invasive species, many of us who are using boat launches across the State are having an opportunity to learn from launch stewards on how we can prevent the spread of invasive species and stop aquatic hitchhikers."

"To help us learn more about keeping invasive species off our boats, trailers and gear, I'm here at the Godfrey Point Boat Launch on the north shore of Oneida Lake with launch steward Kyle Teufel."

"Kyle, What does a launch steward do?," asked White.

"As a launch steward, my main goal is to slow the spread of aquatic invasive species, said Teufel. "I do this in two ways, the first of which is by checking boats when they launch for any sort of aquatic material. And, the other way is by educating people on aquatic invasive species and what they can do to clean their boat and slow the spread."

"What are the areas of the boat and trailer we need to be most concerned about?," asked White.

"We start with the motor, because a lot of weeds can get caught up in there," said Teufel. "We then go onto the fender, including things like the license plate. Next, we move onto the actual trailer. A lot of times, weeds get caught between the trailer and the boat, they get pinched there, especially the wheels. And then, we finally end up at the actual hitch of the boat.

"Beyond our boat and trailer, there are a lot of things we need to be thinking about in regards to invasive species," said White. " "Kyle, what are some of these other things?"

"Make sure to check your bait bucket, make sure it's empty," said Teufel. "The next big thing is your net, make sure it's dry as well as clean. Also, your fishing pole. And your boots and your waders should also be cleaned."

"Thanks Kyle, for helping all of us be good stewards of our resources and stopping aquatic hitchhikers," said White. "Be sure to join us next month on Better Boating and always be ready, be safe and be seen when you are on the water. Wear your life jacket."

New York Sea Grant and the Boating Industries Association are partners in the Discover Better Boating series, from which segments will run on YNN stations every third Saturday through October. The YNN channel, based in Syracuse, telecasts two separate program feeds, one to Central/Northern New York; one to the Southern Tier. YNN is available to nearly 600,000 cable subscribers across a 25-county, 15,000 square mile area.

For more on better boating, check out the "news" section of NYSG's related Web site, www.nyseagrant.org/marina.