While most boaters appreciate the natural resources that abound in the watersheds in which they recreate, many are unaware of the impacts boating can have upon those resources. Water pollution problems associated with boating include discharges of oil, fuel, sewage, trash, fishing line, toxic cleaning and maintenance products, bottom paints, and invasive aquatic species. While boaters may only contribute a small portion of the overall pollution entering our waters, the cumulative impacts of the 4.3 registered boaters in the Great Lakes Basin can be considerable. It is important to recognize the potential negative environmental impacts boaters can have upon our Great Lakes ecosystem and, more importantly, what we can do to prevent them. Boaters can make a difference everyday by following the simple actions listed below. The recommendations were compiled from a variety of sources and experts dedicated to protecting our nation’s waters from the potential impacts of recreational boating.
Photo: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Stop the Invasion
Aquatic Invasive Species are organisms that have been introduced either intentionally or unintentionally into an area where they did not historically occur. These non-native species often have no natural enemies to limit their reproduction and spread, enabling them to out-compete native species and, in the process, disrupt entire ecosystems. Over 185 non-native species are already established in the Great Lakes and connecting waterways. The primary source of introductions of aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes region is ballast water dumped by commercial ships that have been overseas. However, they are further spread onboard personal watercraft and by boaters traveling between bodies of water. Recreational vessels play a critical role in the spread of invasive species in freshwater systems through organisms inadvertently retained in live wells, bait wells, bilge pumps, motors, and on boat hulls, trailers, and equipment. Routine boating practices have spread invasive species over a broad geographic range before the invader is even recognized and acknowledged as a problem. You can help control the spread of these alien species by taking simple actions every time you remove your boat from the water regardless of whether you know the lake is infested or not.
Aquatic Invasive Species are organisms that have been introduced either intentionally or unintentionally into an area where they did not historically occur. These non-native species often have no natural enemies to limit their reproduction and spread, enabling them to out-compete native species and, in the process, disrupt entire ecosystems. Over 185 non-native species are already established in the Great Lakes and connecting waterways. The primary source of introductions of aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes region is ballast water dumped by commercial ships that have been overseas. However, they are further spread onboard personal watercraft and by boaters traveling between bodies of water. Recreational vessels play a critical role in the spread of invasive species in freshwater systems through organisms inadvertently retained in live wells, bait wells, bilge pumps, motors, and on boat hulls, trailers, and equipment. Routine boating practices have spread invasive species over a broad geographic range before the invader is even recognized and acknowledged as a problem. You can help control the spread of these alien species by taking simple actions every time you remove your boat from the water regardless of whether you know the lake is infested or not.
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Keeping it Clean
Products used to keep boats running and looking good are often toxic and persist in lake ecosystems. Most of these are extremely harmful in minute amounts and the effects can be substantial and long-lasting. Even though there are some detergents and cleansers that are better to use than others, there is no such thing as a detergent that is safe for the environment. Even detergents labeled “environmentally friendly” and “non-toxic” may contain ingredients harmful to aquatic organisms. All detergents ruin the protective external mucus layers of fish leaving them susceptible to bacteria and parasites. Cleaners also cause extreme damage to the gills hindering respiration, and can kill both eggs and the fish themselves depending upon the concentrations.
Products used to keep boats running and looking good are often toxic and persist in lake ecosystems. Most of these are extremely harmful in minute amounts and the effects can be substantial and long-lasting. Even though there are some detergents and cleansers that are better to use than others, there is no such thing as a detergent that is safe for the environment. Even detergents labeled “environmentally friendly” and “non-toxic” may contain ingredients harmful to aquatic organisms. All detergents ruin the protective external mucus layers of fish leaving them susceptible to bacteria and parasites. Cleaners also cause extreme damage to the gills hindering respiration, and can kill both eggs and the fish themselves depending upon the concentrations.
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Additionally, the use of cleaners with phosphates can cause excessive algae growth in our waterways. Phosphates fertilize the algae to the point where it grows out of control resulting in a resurgence of algae blooms. Algal blooms in a natural cycle die and decay which causes oxygen depletion for other aquatic plants and marine life. The increase in algae is causing the dead zones once prevalent in Lake Erie to return with a vengeance. Additionally, excessive algae blooms are an inconvenience to boaters and swimmers who must navigate and recreate in large greens blobs of goop.
What you can do:
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Be Astute – Don’t Pollute!
The discharge of oil from the bilge, motors, careless fueling habits, and improper disposal of used oil may significantly contribute to the pollution of our waters. A single quart of oil can cover a water surface area equivalent to nearly three football fields. The spills often produce a sheen which remains on the surface affecting fish, waterfowl, and other aquatic life. Fuel spills during refueling are common as most fuel docks do not have automatic shut-off valves to prevent topping off. The most effective way to minimize harmful effects on the environment from fuel and oil is to reduce consumption and prevent spills.
What you can do:
The discharge of oil from the bilge, motors, careless fueling habits, and improper disposal of used oil may significantly contribute to the pollution of our waters. A single quart of oil can cover a water surface area equivalent to nearly three football fields. The spills often produce a sheen which remains on the surface affecting fish, waterfowl, and other aquatic life. Fuel spills during refueling are common as most fuel docks do not have automatic shut-off valves to prevent topping off. The most effective way to minimize harmful effects on the environment from fuel and oil is to reduce consumption and prevent spills.
What you can do:
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Fueling
Controlling the Bilge
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Photo: Michigan Sea Grant
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Boat Maintenance – Over “hulling”
All boaters make a significant investment in their boat. To ensure that investment is worthwhile and each boating experience is memorable, boaters make a conscious effort to keep their boat reliable, safe, and looking good. Just as with cleaning, boat maintenance can have potential serious impacts on water quality and aquatic ecosystems. Sanding and scraping your boat can release noxious paint into the air and water. Once in the water, the toxic metals and other materials can be consumed by bottom dwelling creatures and passed up the food chain. Antifouling bottom paints are often harmful to the marine environment. Once in the water, the biocides in the paint can affect the growth or health of other organisms. Several types of antifouling paints exist but most contain ingredients such as copper or TBT (Tributyltin) which can be toxic in a lake ecosystem. Most of these coatings continually release chemicals into the water, harming invertebrates (the source of food for fish) and other marine life.
What you can do:
All boaters make a significant investment in their boat. To ensure that investment is worthwhile and each boating experience is memorable, boaters make a conscious effort to keep their boat reliable, safe, and looking good. Just as with cleaning, boat maintenance can have potential serious impacts on water quality and aquatic ecosystems. Sanding and scraping your boat can release noxious paint into the air and water. Once in the water, the toxic metals and other materials can be consumed by bottom dwelling creatures and passed up the food chain. Antifouling bottom paints are often harmful to the marine environment. Once in the water, the biocides in the paint can affect the growth or health of other organisms. Several types of antifouling paints exist but most contain ingredients such as copper or TBT (Tributyltin) which can be toxic in a lake ecosystem. Most of these coatings continually release chemicals into the water, harming invertebrates (the source of food for fish) and other marine life.
What you can do:
- Always sand and scrape your boat on shore and away from the water.
- Collect all paint chips, dust, and residue and properly dispose of them in the trash.
- Use caution with anti-fouling paints for the hull – most contain toxic chemicals such as copper, mercury, and arsenic.
- Regular use of your boat is one of the best ways to clean the bottom.
Photo: Michigan Sea Grant
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The Scoop on Poop – Use your “Head”
Anyone who spends a day on the water knows the call of nature is a regular part of any boating experience. Raw or poorly treated boat sewage is harmful to human health and water quality. Typhoid, hepatitis, cholera, gastroenteritis, and other waterborne diseases may be passed directly to people who swim in contaminated waters. Additionally, sewage poses a great threat to aquatic life. Sewage in waterways reduces the amount of oxygen available to fish and other organisms. Discharge of sewage also contributes to nutrient loading which further promotes excessive algal growth. |
What you can do:
Remove and Recycle
Trash tossed or blown overboard, left on the beach or dockside is not only ugly, but also poses a hazard to humans and wildlife. Floating debris and solid objects may result in structural damage to boats or mechanical failures. Trash can entrap aquatic wildlife or be ingested causing harm or death to the animals that may eat it. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, recreational boaters dispose of approximately 422,000 tons of garbage into U.S. waters yearly. This amounts to an average of more than one pound of trash each time a boater goes out on a boat. Much of this waste can be significantly reduced with the simple act of recycling and a little common sense.
What you can do:
- Never discharge raw sewage into the waterways.
- Pump out and rinse holding tanks regularly.
- Avoid holding tank additives that contain formaldehyde, formalin, phenol derivatives, ammonia compounds, alcohol bases, or chlorine bleach – use safer enzyme-based products.
- Use restrooms on shore if possible.
Remove and Recycle
Trash tossed or blown overboard, left on the beach or dockside is not only ugly, but also poses a hazard to humans and wildlife. Floating debris and solid objects may result in structural damage to boats or mechanical failures. Trash can entrap aquatic wildlife or be ingested causing harm or death to the animals that may eat it. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, recreational boaters dispose of approximately 422,000 tons of garbage into U.S. waters yearly. This amounts to an average of more than one pound of trash each time a boater goes out on a boat. Much of this waste can be significantly reduced with the simple act of recycling and a little common sense.
What you can do:
- Whatever you take aboard, bring back.
- Contain trash – do not let trash get thrown or blown overboard and if it does, retrieve it and dispose of it properly on shore.
- Do not toss cigarette butts overboard.
- Purchase refreshments in recyclable containers and recycle them.
- Recycle used oil, oil filters, antifreeze, and batteries.
- Recycle used monofilament fishing line at your marina or tackle shop.
The health of our waters and our boating legacy is dependent upon all of us – the future truly lies in our hands. Boaters can do many things to lessen their impact on the environment and serve as good stewards of our precious recreational resources. Be a responsible boater and follow the steps outlined above to protect our waters. The small, extra effort required to practice clean boating makes sense for our family’s health and safety, for the environment, and for the future of recreational boating.
Additional Resources
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A Boater's Guide to Good Environmental Stewardship
Boaters can do many things to lessen their impact on the environment and serve as good stewards for our precious recreational resources. The brochure outlines the steps that we can all follow to be a responsible boater to protect our waters. The small, extra effort required to practice clean boating makes sense for your family’s health and safety, for the environment, and for the future of recreational boating. |
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Keep It Clean - Alternative cleaning products and practices for boaters
When you clean your boat, cleaning products may end up in the water. This brochure shows you ways you can minimize environmental impacts by using simple household alternatives. ALWAYS be sure to use any cleaning product sparingly to minimize the amount that discharges into the water. |
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Clean Boating - Boating practices to protect Northern Michigan's waters.
Created in 2018, this brochure outlines the steps that water recreation lovers can doto protect our lakes and streams. The small, extra effort required to practice clean boating makes sense for your family’s health and safety, for the environment, and for the future of recreational boating.
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Clean Boating Pocket Card
Help stop the invasion of aquatic invasive species. The clean boating pocket card features tips for cleaning your boat and identifying common invaders such as juvenile Asian Carp, Eurasian Watermilfoil, Round Goby, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Starry Stonewort, Zebra and Quagga Mussels, and European Frogbit. |
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Asian Carp Alert
Do you know what's in your bait bucket? Download and use this handy flyer to help you recognize the subtle differences between typical fishing bait and juvenile Asian carp. |
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Protecting What You Love
Video #8 - Clean Boating January 2014 This is video #8 in the "Protecting What You Love" series created by Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council. This video focuses on "clean boating" practices and provides water recreation lovers with a number of simple tips to help keep our waters clean. Funding for this video was provided by: Charlevoix County Community Foundation Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation Crouse Entertainment Group |
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