Hydrilla can spread to new water bodies by hitching a ride on your boat!

Aquatic Invasives

Plant and animal invasives threaten our watersheds here in New York State and elsewhere, but residents can be informed, and learn ways to identify, report and help control their presence.

Blue-Green Algae

Studies have linked invasive hydrilla to a deadly toxin produced by blue-green algae, resulting in illness and death of wild birds and domestic pets.

zebra mussel
Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas)

Zebra Mussels

Zebra mussels filter vast amounts of plankton, which decreases the food source of other species and subsequently causes a lack of clarity in the water. Learn the dangers of zebra mussels and how to prevent their spread, here.

Asian Clam

Asian clams cause ecological devastation, overheating of boat engines and millions of dollars in damage. Learn the dangers of Asian clam and how to prevent its spread, here.

Sea Lamprey

Sea lamprey have a major detrimental impact on the fish community, ecosystem, along with the fishing and tourist industry. Learn the dangers of sea lamprey and how to prevent its spread, here.

Quagga Mussel

Quagga mussel alters the food web by filtering water and removing plankton which reduces food for native populations of alewives, salmon, whitefish and native mussel species. Learn the dangers of quagga mussel and how to prevent its spread, here.

Asian Carp

“Asian carp” typically refers to two species of invasive fish introduced from Asia: the bighead carp and the silver carp. Learn the dangers of Asian carp and how to prevent its spread, here.

Last updated January 26, 2025

Aquatic Invasives

Keep Your Boat Clean!

Video produced by The Clean Boats Clean Tournaments project by the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant.

Visit CRISP

CRISP is a collaborative of organizations and agencies that work cooperatively to promote prevention, early detection/rapid response, and control of invasive species to protect natural resources, the economy, and human health.

Mobile Mapping Tool

New York IMapInvasives offers a mobile app to help citizens and conservation professionals quickly and easily report new invasive species sightings directly to New York’s invasive species database from their phones. Learn more about the iMapInvasives Mobile App here.