An Environmental Guide for Personal Watercraft Operations

All boaters participate in the ecosystem, a system created by the interaction of a community of organisms with their environment. We are not separate from nature, but a part of it. As Boaters, we cannot ignore the effect we have on the environment. The waters we enjoy may be impacted by our actions. Every boater has the responsibility to learn and use environmentally safe boating practices that will protect the waters for the future.

As a personal watercraft rider, you are considered a boater. Personal watercraft are defined as Class A inboard boats buy the U.S. Coast Guard and are required to follow most boating regulations.

The Personal Watercraft Industry Association encourages you to adopt the following simple guidelines to preserve our natural resources.

Don't Over-fill and Spill

Pollution

Refuel on land to reduce any chances of spilling oil or gas into the water.
Slow down when filling the tank, don't over-fill, catch any accidental spills with an absorbant pad, and dispose of it properly.
Check and clean your engine well away from the shoreline. Water and oil don't mix and can harm the water's delicate micro-organisms as well as the animals who feed on them, potentially upsetting the entire food chain.

Don't Rev it Up!

In shallow waters, boats may stir up tbe bottom suspending sediments which limit light penetration and deplete oxygen. This can effect fish and bird feeding. To avoid this effect, ride in the main channels, and limit riding in shallow water.
When iit is necessary to ride in shallow water, keep watercraft at an idle speed.
In coastal areas, be aware of low tide, the waters may be substantially more shallow at these times revealing sea grass beds and other delicate vegetation. Disturbance of these areas by watercraft abd other boats can cause erosion as well as long lasting damage to vegetation.

Vegetation

Vegetation such as sea grasses are delicate nursery ground where many of the fish in our waters originate.
Weeds, grasses and other plant life are not good for your PWC. Ingestion of these into your craft may cause engine or pump problems, and reduce performance. Stay Away!
When possible, operate well away from the shore because, typically, wildlife inhabit the vegitation along the shore's edge. The least amount of disturbance is in the marked channels or in the deeper areas of a lake or river. IF at all possible, stay in the main channels.

Respect the Local Residents

Noise

Be aware that the noise and movements of boats may disturb bird populations. Steer clear of posted bird nesting areas.
Many migratory birds are easily stressed and especially vulnerable during their migration period. Birds will typically fly away from disturbing noises nad unnessesary expenditure of energy can harm a feeding or nesting bird.
Bird rookeries are especially vulnerable to noise from boats, including personal watercraft. Nesting birds may fly from the nest exposing unprotected eggs or hatchlings to the sun's heat or predators.

Harrassment

Do not harass wildlife by chasing or interupting feeding, nesting or resting. Harrassment is defined as any action that may cause an animal to deviate from it's normal behavior. It is illegal and can unduly stress wildlife.
Mammals such as sea otters, sea lions, manatees and whales can be injured from direct impact by boats traveling at high speeds. Ride at controlled speeds so yo ucan see any animals ahead of you. Avoid areas of high animal population so you can see any animals ahead of you. If you hit an animal, report it to your local wildlife commission. There may be a chance to save it's life.

No Wakes Near Shore

Erosion

Excessive boat wakes may contribute to shoreline erosion, especially in narrow streams and inlets.
Erosion is a concern for all shorelines including rivers, lakes and oceans. The slow destruction of shorelines affects the habitats of plants and animals. Near the shore, avoid high speeds which create wakes and observe posted no wake zones.

Wash your Watercraft

Exotics

Wash your boat after you use it to prevent the spread of exotic plants to other lakes and rivers.

Exotics are plants and animals that are non-native to a specific area. Exotics have no natural enemies and spread easily, taking over an area to the exclusion of native species, thus decreasing important plant and animal diversity.

Watch Where You Stop

Docking / Beaching

When docking or beaching, look for evidence of turtles, birds, alligators and other animals along shore.
Avoid docking or beaching where plants such as reeds, grasses and mangroves are located. These plants are essential to the ecosystem because they control erosion and provide a nursery ground for small animals vital to the food chain, such as crustaceans, mullusks, and small fish.

Unique Wildlife --
Ride with Extraordinary Care

Endangered Species

Many species of plants and animals are threatened with extinction due to habitat loss. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 was created to protect these animals. It is illegal to trade, kill, hunt, collect, harass, harm, pursue, shoot, trap, wound or capture species designated as endangered, or in danger if extinction, such as threatened, rare, and species of concern. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for listing the hundreds of species in decline.
Be aware of the endangered species that are found in your riding area where a safe haven protects them from humam development, and they are allowed to survive and flourish.
Here are just a few endangered animals you might encounter while riding: Brown Pelican, manatee, southern sea otter, wood stork, American Alligator and Whales.

Special Habitats

Mangrove Community

Mangroves are a distinctive type of tree that have adapted to living in or near salt water. There are four types of trees, two of which are threatened with extinction. Many shore birds such as pelicans and roseate spoonbills nest in mangrove forests and islands. Mangroves shelter other marine life, control erosion and filter runoff. They also build up shorelines and serve as a buffer that protects the land from storms and winds.
Don't operate in un-marked mangrove channels, your disturbing mangroves, birds and animals who reside in this area.

Coral

Coral is a living organism which provides a safe haven for hundreds of marine creatures. This firm, yet fragile species is vulnerable to the effects of human intrusion.
If you are riding near coral, do not use an anchor, and be careful when diving to avoid coming in contact with these delicate organisms.

Marine Plant Life

Kelp Forests

Kelp forests support a lush underwater community teeming with fish, invertebrates, sea urchins and sea otters. Found close to shore, the kelp canopy covers the surface of the water and extends down, sometimes thousands of feet, to the bottom of the ocean floor. In warm months, this seaweed can grow as much as a foot a day.

Sea Grasses

Sea Grasses are nursury grounds normally found in protected waters called estuarys where fresh water ad salt water meet. Most of the worlds fish have their beginnings in estuaries and their associated sea grass habitat. Sea grasses are very delicate and their destruction can lead to the degredation of the entire marine cycle.
As a responsible PWC operator, stay away from both of these environmentally sensitive areas.

You Can Make a Difference

We all have a duty to the next-generation to protect our bountiful natural resources.

Take a moment to learn what the environmental concerns are for your riding area.

If you are interesting in observing wildlife while riding, keep an idle speed to reduce wake, noise and turbidity (stirring up the bottom).

Know your riding area for the safety of the environment, for your own protection, and for your personal watercraft's protection.