Fishing for giant salvinia

Texas Parks and Wildlife

ATHENS -- If you've been looking for something you can do to help the environment, this is your chance.

And you can enjoy a day on beautiful Sam Rayburn Reservoir at the same time.

The Southeast Texas BASS Federation is seeking volunteers to remove giant salvinia plants from the lake on Saturday, July 18. People with boats are especially needed, and everyone should come prepared to get wet.

Volunteers are requested to pre-register with Leslie McGaha at (832) 266-6242 or mcgaha78@yahoo.com.

The work day will begin at Jackson Hill Park Marina, 1705 F.M. 2851 near Broaddus, Texas, at 7:00 a.m. Howard Elder, Aquatic Vegetation Biologist for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, will teach how to recognize giant salvinia.

The first 35 boaters to launch from Jackson Hill Park Marina will have their launch fee waived. For directions, visit http://www.jacksonhill.us/ or call (936) 872-9266.

Boaters who wish to launch from other locations, including private ramps and docks, should contact McGaha for supplies and instructions.

Giant salvinia is an invasive, floating fern from South America that grows very fast and can form thick mats that can block boater access. By preventing sunlight from reaching the water beneath it, giant salvinia can also be harmful or fatal to fish and other organisms.

Giant salvinia has been identified in 14 Texas lakes and is primarily spread by boat trailers.

"Anglers and other boaters are the first line of defense against invasive species threatening our lakes and rivers," said Tim Cook, State Conservation Director for Texas B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, a bass tournament organization. "This project will teach volunteers how to identify giant salvinia, how to avoid transporting it to other bodies of water, and how to dispose of it properly-all behaviors that every angler must practice if we are to protect Texas waters and preserve the privilege of boating and fishing on them."

The event is sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Jackson Hill Park Marina, Sealy Outdoors, Piney Woods Sanitation and Bass Anglers Sportsman's Society (BASS).

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