New standards for boats, trailers, engines, components and other accessories have been recommended to manufacturers by the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) in order to reduce the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) that have made their way into the Great Lakes in recent years.
“Developing the AIS technical report was a great collaborative effort between the boating industry and the natural resource management community,” says ABYC Technical Director Brian Goodwin. “[It aids] in creating products that not only help reduce the spread of AIS but also to improve the overall boating experience.”
AIS hurt marine ecosystems by reducing natural food sources for the native species. Laws and regulations have already been put in place by local, state and federal governments because of the rise in AIS across the country. The ABYC recommendations include instructions on how to create vessels with better drain systems that are easier to clean, inspect and decontaminate.
For more information, visit abycinc.org/AISreport.
