Editor: Congratulations to our state senator, Mike McGuire, for his appointment as the Senate's majority leader (NCJ Daily, Jan. 27). He is a hard worker.
Invasive pests to worry about before HABs strike in late-summer
Peter is the creator and editor of The Water Front Online, the region’s only news organization dedicated to environmental issues in the Finger Lakes and Upstate New York. Have a tip? Send it to peter@fingerlakes1.com.
The peak season for harmful algal blooms, or HABs, is at least two months away, but the Finger Lakes have plenty of other pests and invasive species to worry about before toxic algae takes center stage.
The Catharine Creek and Keuka Outlet tributaries are being treated this month with chemicals to combat sea lampreys, the blood-sucking, eel-like creatures that attach themselves to trout and kill them.
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As this year’s boating season officially kicks off, Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos is reminding water recreationists to do their part in protecting New York’s waters from aquatic invasive species by remembering to clean, drain, and dry watercraft and equipment.
Last year, boater traffic increased by nearly 20 percent at some launches and boat stewards counted more than 390,000 boats at launches across the state, a significant increase from the 276,515 watercraft counted in 2019. DEC anticipates more boaters will hit the water this season and with them an increased risk of introducing AIS to New York’s waters. Taking proactive steps such as cleaning off fishing tackle, removing aquatic vegetation from rudders, disinfecting boat hul