With summer recreation in full swing, it’s time for all those out on boats and other watercraft to think about what might be hitching a ride on their equipment.

This is Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week, aimed at educating the public on the substantial harm non-native aquatic plants and animals can have on Michigan’s ecosystems, tourism and economy.

To help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy offers these simple steps:

Actions required by law in Michigan —

— Remove all aquatic organisms, including plants, from watercraft and trailers before launching or transporting;

— Remove all drain plugs and drain all water from bilges, ballast tanks and live wells before transporting a watercraft;

— Dispose of unused bait in the trash, not the water.

Recommended additional actions —

— Clean boats, trailers, and equipment by removing plants, debris, and mud before leaving the access area. Dispose of the material in a trash receptacle or otherwise away from the water body, if possible.

— Wash boats and trailers before leaving the access area, if possible, or at a nearby car wash or at home.

— Dry boats and equipment for five days before launching into a different water body.

— Disinfect live wells and bilges with a solution of 1/2 cup bleach to 5 gallons of water.

A NotMISpecies webinar from EGLE, “Clean It Up, Drain It Out, Dry It Off: Boating Hygiene for the 21st Century” at https://www.michigan.gov/egle/outreach/not-mi-species-webinar-series shows how easy it is to clean, drain, and dry boats and trailers to help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species.

“Recreational boaters and anglers can play a key role in helping prevent the spread of invasive species,” said Kevin Walters, aquatic biologist with EGLE. “Instead of spreading invasive species, we’re asking people to help spread the word about simple steps that can be taken when out recreating on Michigan’s waters.”

As part of the effort, the 10th annual Aquatic Invasive Species Landing Blitz will take place at a number of sites in Michigan and Wisconsin, including at Lake Antoine and the Twin Falls Flowage in Wisconsin’s Florence County, according to an online site. The boat landing events provide local partners — such as lake associations and cooperative invasive species management areas — to give boaters tips to prevent the spread of invasive species and comply with recently updated laws for recreational boating.

To search for a Landing Blitz location, go to the web site at https://www.glc.org/work/blitz.