Best Practice

This guide contains recommendations and guidelines for the inspection and cleaning of watercraft, trailers and equipment used in aquatic environments, to prevent the introduction and propagation of aquatic invasive species. The activities covered include sport fishing, nautical activities and pleasure boating, and inventories or sampling carried out in aquatic environments.

Building Consensus in the West is an initiative of the Western Regional Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species. The goal of the WRP initiative is to develop a multi-state vision for watercraft inspection and decontamination (WID) programs. The National Sea Grant Law Center is an active participant in this initiative, providing legal research support and leading efforts to develop model legislation and regulations for WID Programs.

These guidelines support the bi-national Habitattitude education campaign, which promotes ethical and humane treatment of organisms and alternatives for preventing the release of organisms into the environment through reuse and resale of live organisms, and proper disposal. 

The guidelines are intended to provide water gardeners with consistent invasive-species-prevention recommendations. Accordingly, water gardeners, water gardening societies, retailers, and outreach professionals who work with water gardeners are encouraged to use this information to guide their own activities and when developing outreach tools. 

The purpose of these guidelines is to: provide a consistent, practical, and effective document to inform outreach efforts geared toward public recreationalists to prevent the spread of AIS; take into account the specific pathways, vectors, and life histories of all AIS, including fish, aquatic plants, invertebrates, and pathogens; and promote voluntary actions to support the national Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!™ campaign, as well as statewide efforts such as

This website provides consumers with the information and tools they need to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species commonly found in trade. Water gardeners, aquarium hobbyists, retailers, anglers, teachers, wholesalers, and more can use these resources to learn about invasive species and identify alternative organisms that are safe to buy and sell. Information on how invasions happen and easy-to-follow tips for managing and disposing of species also help visitors protect local waterways.