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+--- Thread: ANS Regulations in Effect April 1 (/showthread.php?tid=401412)
ANS Regulations in Effect April 1 - FishNews - 03-17-2008
ANS Regulations in Effect April 1
Effective April 1, anglers, boaters and personal watercraft users must abide by new regulations intended to prevent the introduction or spread of aquatic nuisance species into and within North Dakota.
ANS include aquatic animals, plants and diseases which are not native to North Dakota and have the likelihood to become well-established if introduced.<br />
Greg Power, fisheries chief for the state Game and Fish Department, said North Dakota does have some problem areas, such as curly leaf pondweed in the Missouri River System, Eurasian water milfoil in parts of the Sheyenne River drainage and common carp in a number of waters.
"In the past, anglers and boaters were encouraged to practice ANS guidelines," Power said. "Now, these guidelines are rules that must be followed. It is vital that water users understand these important requirements. If introduced, ANS can devastate a fishery and cause serious ecological and economic damage to our state."
To comply with these regulations, water enthusiasts must:
"¢Inspect and remove all aquatic vegetation from boats, personal watercraft, trailers, and associated equipment such as fishing poles and lures before leaving a body of water.<br />
"¢Remove all aquatic vegetation from bait containers when leaving the water.<br />
"¢Drain all water from boats and other watercraft, including bilges, livewells and motors, at the ramp site before leaving a water body. The only exception is livewells used to transport game fish or baitfish, and potable water and sewage water which must be disposed of properly.<br />
"¢Not transport live aquatic bait or aquatic vegetation into North Dakota. All water must be drained from watercraft upon entering the state.<br />
"¢Not dump bait into any North Dakota water.<br />
"¢Not introduce any fish into North Dakota water.<br />
"¢Not transport nongame fish (other than legal live baitfish) in water away from the water body in which they were taken.
More ANS information can be found in the 2008-10 North Dakota Fishing Guide and by accessing the Game and Fish Department website at gf.nd.gov.<br />
For local information contact district fisheries supervisors Fred Ryckman, Williston, 774-4320; Jeff Hendrickson, Dickinson, 227-7431; Jason Lee, Riverdale, 654-7475; Paul Bailey, Bismarck, 328-6688; Randy Hiltner, Devils Lake, 662-3617; Gene Van Eeckhout, Jamestown, 253-6482; Missouri River System supervisor Dave Fryda, Riverdale, 654-7475; or ANS coordinator Lynn Schlueter, Devils Lake, 662-3617.