Aquatic Nuisance Species in New Hampshire

Some species of aquatic wildlife and plants have become unwanted invaders in New Hampshire's waters. On this page, learn more about aquatic nuisance species, the laws & rules around possession and use of aquatic species, and what you can do to help stop the invasion!

Click to go to a topic:

• Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!
• Tips for boaters and anglers
• Media resources
• Definitions (to help understand laws and rules)
• N.H. Laws and Fish and Game Rules:
  • Importing and Releasing Wildlife
  • Release of Fish
  • Possession and Use of Live Fish for Bait
  • Importation of Finfish for Bait
  • Prohibited Species - Importation and Possession
  • Prohibited Species - Release
• Special information for aquarium enthusiasts
• Invasive Didymo alert
• Who's helping?
• For more information...

Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!

Aquatic Nuisance Species are hitching rides to new waters. These invaders spread quickly, wreak havoc on native plants and animals, degrade the quality of aquatic resources and make waters unusable for boating, fishing, and swimming.

Aquatic nuisance species includes both plants and animals such as zebra mussels, exotic milfoil and fish, which can easily be transported to new waters by boats, motors, trailers, fishing equipment, livewells, bait buckets, diving gear, and other aquatic recreational equipment.

The quality of New Hampshire's waters are extremely valuable both as a natural and economic resource. In addition to providing essential aquatic habitat, New Hampshire's waters annually provide ~14.7 million visitor days for boating, fishing, and swimming, which are popular family-oriented recreational activities that generate more than $1 billion to the state's economy.

Preventing the spread of aquatic nuisance species is the most environmentally sound and cost-effective method for battling aquatic hitchhikers since once they become established, aquatic nuisance species can be impossible to contain and control.

New Hampshire has laws and regulations that prohibit the import and possession of these alien invaders. Additionally, the release of any amphibian, reptile, or fish is illegal without first obtaining special permits issued by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.

Compliance with the importation, possession, and release laws is critically important because it represents the most effective strategy for preventing the destruction caused by aquatic nuisance species. Please remember, unwanted plants and animals should never be disposed of in New Hampshire's waters because the potential harm caused by this action can devastate aquatic habitat essential to native plants and animals.

Take Action! Protect New Hampshire's Waters and Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!

Learn more at www.protectyourwaters.net

<return to top of page>

To prevent the transport of aquatic nuisance species, please clean all recreational equipment. Whenever you leave a body of water:

1. Remove any visible mud, plants, fish or animals.
2. Drain water from equipment (engine water intake systems, bilge, live wells, bait buckets).
3. Clean and dry anything that comes into contact with water (boats, trailers, equipment, etc.)
4. Never release plants, fish or animals into a body of water unless they came out of that body of water.

By preventing the spread of aquatic nuisance species you will maintain the high quality of New Hampshire's waters and you will continue to have a place to enjoy your water-based recreational activities (boating, fishing, and swimming), which are popular family-oriented recreational activities that generate more than $1 billion to the state's economy.

Preventing the spread of aquatic nuisance species is also the most environmentally sound and cost effective method for battling these alien invaders since once they become established, aquatic nuisance species can be impossible to contain and control.

<return to top of page>

News release 6/04 -- Boaters: You Can Help STOP AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS!

N.H. Wildlife Journal magazine article -- click to download PDF of Alien Invasion (Aquatic nuisance species in New Hampshire, and what's being done to stop their spread)

"Aquatic species" includes, but are not limited to, all fish, crustaceans, mollusks, invertebrates and aquatic plants that usually inhabit fresh water. (RSA 211:62-e)

"Exotic species" means wildlife that are non-indigenous species (not naturally occurring or naturalized in New Hampshire). (Fis 801.08)

"Import" means bringing or causing wildlife to be transported into the state by any means. (Fis 801.11)

"Prohibited" means that the wildlife species or activity such as collection, importation, transportation, possession, sale, transfer of release of that wildlife is not allowed. (Fis 801.19)

"Wildlife" refers to all species of mammals, birds, fish, mollusks, crustaceans, amphibians, invertebrates, reptiles or their progeny or eggs which, whether raised in captivity or not, are normally found in a wild state. (RSA 207:1, XXXV)

<return to top of page>

N.H. laws and Fish and Game rules related to aquatic nuisance species

Importing and Releasing Wildlife (RSA 207:14)

No person shall import, possess, sell, exhibit, or release any live marine species or wildlife, or the eggs or progeny thereof, without first obtaining a permit from the NH Fish and Game Department's Executive Director.

Release of Fish (Fis 402.06)

(a) No live fish shall be released in any waters of the state unless they shall be returned into the waters from where taken except as permitted by the executive director under a permit to release.

(b) No person shall have live fish in their possession when leaving the freshwaters of the state, except those species allowed to be possessed and used as live fish for bait or the person is participating in a permitted fishing tournament. [NOTE: Fis 402.06 (b) became effective on January 1, 2005]

Possession and Use of Live Fish for Bait (Fis 402.08)

Only the following species shall be possessed and used as live fish for bait when fishing any freshwaters of the state:

[NOTE: Fis 402.08 becomes effective on January 1, 2005]

Importation of Finfish for Bait (Fis 502.07)

Licensed bait dealers shall obtain the permit from the NH Fish and Game Department before importing any shipment or lot of baitfish from hatchery sources or wild stock. Such permits shall be issued to import only:

No baitfish shall be imported from states known to have waters infested with zebra mussels or from states which allow the import of baitfish from states infested with zebra mussels unless the source of baitfish is approved free of zebra mussels (Fis 502.09 and Fis 502.10).

Prohibited Species - Importation and Possession

No person shall be issued a permit to import (Fis 803.03) or possess (Fis 804.03) the following designated prohibited wildlife:

Prohibited Species - Release (Fis 805.01)

No person shall be issued a permit to release the following designated prohibited wildlife:

<return to top of page> 

Special information for aquarium enthusiasts
Do you keep an aquarium in your home, school or office? Do you have an artificial pond or other outdoor water feature? You can help stop the spread of damaging aquatic plants and animals! To learn more, click here to download "Don't leave them stranded"* (PDF, 180 KB)

Agencies and organizations that are actively involved in education and regulatory actions regarding aquatic nuisance species (ANS) in New Hampshire are described here.

NH Fish and Game Department
www.wildlife.state.nh.us
The Fish and Game Department regulates fishing and importation and release of animals (vertebrates and invertebrates) in the state, including possession, transport, and use of aquatic nuisance species by anglers, bait dealers, and aquaculture producers.

NH Department of Environmental Services, Exotic Species Program
des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/wmb/exoticspecies/index.htm
New Hampshire's Exotic Aquatic Plant Species Program, authorized by RSA 487, focuses on submerged exotic aquatic plants. Funding for the program is through a state fee affixed to boat registrations.

Department of Safety, Marine Patrol Bureau
www.nhmarinepatrol.com
The Marine Patrol is responsible for enforcement of boating laws. They occasionally become involved in inspections for illegal plant transport on boats and trailers.

New Hampshire Lakes Association (NHLA)
www.nhlakes.org
The NHLA is a statewide, nonprofit, member-supported organization dedicated to protecting New Hampshire's lakes, which are integral to the quality of life and economic health of the State. The NHLA serves as a source of information about lakes and lake issues through our educational materials and programs, and through our work with state legislators. They advocate on issues of water quality, boater education and boating safety, invasive species prevention, appropriate public access and a balance of lake uses.

ProtectYourWaters: www.protectyourwaters.net

Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force: www.anstaskforce.gov

Sea Grant National Aquatic Nuisance Species Clearinghouse: www.cce.cornell.edu/seagrant/ans/anspages/anshome.htm

Invasive Species Information: www.invasivespecies.gov

Zebra Mussels Fact Sheet (N.H. Department of Environmental Services)

<return to top of page>