FWWA Talks With Aquarium Enthusiasts about Protecting Our Waterways

The Green Bay Aquarium Society hosted its annual Swap Meet on February 11th at the Starlite Club in Kaukauna. Fox-Wolf was invited to the 3rd annual Swap Meet where our Winnebago Waterways AIS coordinator Chris talked with attendees about the importance of not dumping aquariums into our waters. People may consider releasing pets as their only option if they are moving, going on vacation, etc. However, it is illegal to dump an aquarium into a waterbody. The released species  from an aquarium can become new invasive species. In order to protect our waters, there are several alternatives that pet owners can use including;

  • Contacting a retailer for proper handling or possible returns
  • Giving or trading with another aquarist, pond owner, or water gardener
  • Donating to a local aquarium society, school, or aquatic business
  • Sealing aquatic plants in plastic bags and disposing in the trash
  • Contacting a veterinarian or pet retailer for humane disposal guidance

Chris was able to talk with over 100 interested parties at the event as well as promote the upcoming Pet Surrender event happening on March 10th. For more information, contact Chris at (920) 460-3674 or at chris@fwwa.org.

Habitattitude is a national campaign focused on protecting our environment through responsible pet ownership. If you want to learn more, visit the website HERE.

To learn more about invasive species and their impacts to Wisconsin’s waters and economy, visit http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Invasives/.

Follow the Fox Wolf Watershed Alliance’s Winnebago Waterways Program on our Winnebago Waterways Facebook page or @WinnWaterways on Twitter! You can also sign-up for email updates at WinnebagoWaterways.org.

Winnebago Waterways is a Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance program. The Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance is an independent nonprofit organization that identifies and advocates effective policies and actions that protect, restore, and sustain water resources in the Fox-Wolf River Basin.

This article was written by Chris Acy, the AIS Coordinator for the Winnebago Waterways Program covering Calumet, Winnebago, and Fond du Lac counties.