12/21/2021
The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) has initiated a program to prevent delays during the transport of watercraft destined for the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. The program, Call Before You Haul, provides a toll-free number boat transporters can call prior to transporting watercraft from outside the Pacific Northwest to one of the aforementioned states. The program is currently being piloted in 10 states, and is intended to be expanded to all states in 2022.
PSMFC created Call Before You Haul to prevent costly and timely delays to boat owners and boat transportation companies moving watercraft across interstate lines. All Pacific Northwest states have regulations that make it illegal to transport aquatic invasive species (dead or alive) within their respective states, including penalties up to, and including, a no bond felony. Much of the ongoing spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) to inland waters throughout North America can be attributed to the overland movement of watercraft that can be towed on trailers. Invasive species can be carried in bilge water, live wells, and bait buckets as well as on boat and motor exteriors and trailers. Every time a boat is transported overland after use in an infested waterway, there is the possibility that it will transfer aquatic invasive species to uninfested waterways.
By calling the toll-free number, 1-844-311-4873, prior to hauling, and providing some basic information about the watercraft being transported, the destination state representative will reach out to boat transporters and provide them with information to facilitate and expedite inspection of the watercraft, and if needed, decontamination. Taking a proactive approach to making arrangements for inspection of the watercraft can prevent costly and timely delays at inspection stations, or if boat transporters are intercepted hauling an infested vessel. And all four states are communicating with one another, thus, working with one of the four states will expedite transport across two or more Pacific Northwest states.
In addition to reaching out to boat transport companies, PSMFC is working directly with Departments of Transportation in 10 states (as part of the pilot program) to notify them of the toll-free number and make this information available on their permitting websites.
Call Before You Haul is intended to prevent unnecessary delays for boat transporters and their customers and help to ensure these companies will not be violating state, or federal, laws pertaining to unlawful transport of aquatic invasive species (e.g. quagga or zebra mussels).
Please help us spread the word about this new program.
For more information on aquatic invasive species in the West, please see: www.westernais.org.
