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. Aquatic Invasive Species - Arizona Definition
A.R.S. §17-255
Aquatic Invasive Species
- Arizona Definition
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.
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: R & 902
Director’s Orders: 1, 2, 3

7. AZ AIS Interdiction Act 2009
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. Article 9: Aquatic Invasive Species
A.A.C. R , 902
Article 9: Aquatic Invasive Species
R Definitions
R 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. Director’s Orders DO1 = Establish an AIS List
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
Present
Not Present
Apple Snail
Asian Carp: Bighead , Black, Silver
New Zealand Mudsnail
Golden Mussel
Quagga Mussel
Red Claw Crayfish
Didymo, a.k.a. Rock Snot
Rusty Crayfish
Giant Salvinia
All Snakehead spp
Golden Alga
Waterflea: Spiny, Fishhook
Water Hyacinth
Zebra Mussel
Hydrilla

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 Day Users: 5 or less days
Mandatory Conditions of Watercraft/Equipment Movement
Day Users: or less days
Clean, Drain, Dry watercraft and equipment
Recommend an inspection if cannot meet dry times
Long-Term consecutive days
AND Inspection and decontamination required
Dry time required
Other Equipment
Cleaning protocols

13. Positive ID of AIS 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.

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 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
Billboard, brochures, special events, talk to people on the ramps, resorts

25. Questions?