A New Habitattitude on Aquatic Invasive Species

Federal agencies and the pet industry have launched a new public education campaign, Habitattitude™, to encourage consumers to prevent the release or escape of non-native plants and animals.

The campaign encourages aquarium owners and water gardeners to avoid unwanted introductions of non-native species by adopting simple prevention steps when faced with an unwanted aquatic plant or fish:

• Contact a retailer for proper handling advice or for possible returns;
• Give or trade with another aquarist, pond owner or water gardener;
• Donate to a local aquarium society, school or aquatic business;
• Seal aquatic plants in plastic bags and dispose in the trash; and
• Contact a veterinarian or pet retailer for guidance on humane disposal of animals.

The government-industry coalition includes the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network, and other industry partners.

“Beginning this fall, when aquarium hobbyists, backyard pond owners and water gardeners go to purchase fish or plants for their tanks or ponds, they’ll receive the Habitattitude™ message,” said Marshall Meyers, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of PIJAC.

Habitattitude™ materials will be displayed in aquarium stores, aquatic retail outlets, hobby magazines and nursery and landscape businesses across the country, as well as on the packaging of related products. Michigan Sea Grant Extension Specialist Mike Klepinger will coordinate distribution of campaign materials in Michigan.

“Pet and aquarium owners are a critical group in the battle against invasive species,” says Klepinger. “We think they’ll develop a Habitattitude™ and help us get the upper hand on the accidental release of non-native species.”

A new Web site, www.habitattitude.net, helps consumers learn more about responsible behaviors and how to prevent the spread of potential aquatic nuisance species.

PIJAC and its members, who represent 70 percent of the U.S. pet industry and 90 percent of the aquarium industry, have committed over $1.1 million to the campaign. Their contribution leveraged a $300,000 grant from NOAA’s National Sea Grant College Program to Minnesota Sea Grant and a $100,000 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contribution.