
	Aquatic Invasive Species:		home	\|	background	\|	prevention/education	\|	detect/monitor/identify	\|


	rapid response	\|	control	\|	partners	\|	links/resources	\|	contact us

Bait Industry/Recreational Fishing

Although using live bait is a great way to catch a fish, it can also be a vector for Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) introductions. The release of invertebrates and other live bait brought into the Commonwealth as bait can cause AIS introductions. Perhaps of greater concern is the introduction of organisms that are unintentionally brought in with the packing material used to transport bait.

What you can do:

Never release unused bait or bait packaging materials into the water.
Put unused bait into a plastic bag or container and place it in the trash.
Be careful not to let your bait escape unintentionally!
Clean your equipment, especially felt soled waders, between visits to different water bodies.

Prevention and education efforts for the bait industry and recreational fishers include:

Invasive Species in Massachusetts! - A web page of the Northeast Aquatic Nuisance Species Panel that describes what to do with unused bait and other non-native species.
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) - Information and training sessions supported by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the University of Texas - Arlington.
AIS Management Plan

If you have specific questions about the bait industry/recreational fishing and AIS, please contact us.

Other targeted education efforts include:

Aquarium Pets/Water Gardens

Recreational Boating

Seafood

Aquaculture

Commercial Shipping

Research/Education Supply


COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT 251 Causeway Street, Suite 800Boston, MA 02114 617-626-1200617-626-1240 (fax) czm@state.ma.us	Contact Us About Us Site Policies	Last Update