New rules to combat the spread of aquatic invasive species in New Mexico went into effect July 11 2017.

Changes include:

Watercraft owners are required to stop at an inspection station whenever one is set up and in operation. Mandatory inspection and, if necessary, decontamination is required of all out-of-state registered watercraft or watercraft re-entering the state of New Mexico. All boaters are required to pull the plug¨ and completely drain watercraft when transporting on a New Mexico roadway.

The boating publics cooperation is essential in our fight to prevent destructive invasive species such as zebra and quagga mussels from infecting our waterways, ¨ said James Dominiguez, aquatic invasive species coordinator for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. These changes will help our watercraft inspectors and law enforcement personnel as they conduct watercraft inspections at our waterbodies.¨

Inspectors are stationed at the Marina Entrance and the entranve to at the Ranger Station to ensure that watercraft are completely clean, drained and dry before launching. Boaters can help by adopting these measures on their own.

For more information about the battle against aquatic invasive species please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us/ais and www.facebook.com/aquaticaliens or contact the department¡¦s Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator, James Dominguez, (505) 476-8163, or james.dominguez@state.nm.us.