Michigan Natural Resources Department officials are working to add seven aquatic invasive species to Michigan’s list of “prohibited species,” a move aligned with the intentions of several Great Lakes states and two Canadian provinces.

We think this is a good move and an important step in trying to stop the proliferation of these “least wanted” aquatic invasive species before they reach our shores. Most of the species on the list are established in Europe or Asia and some could reach Michigan in the ballast water of ships.

Gov. Rick Snyder met with Great Lakes states governors and the premiers of Quebec and Ontario in 2013. Each of the representatives at the session committed to take action to block the spread of 16 “least wanted” aquatic invasive species through prohibitions or restrictions.

Nine of the 16 species are already prohibited in Michigan.

The DNR proposes to add the remaining seven species to Michigan’s prohibited species list. Those species include stone moroko, zander, Wels catfish, killer shrimp, common yabby, golden mussel and red swamp crayfish.

Action to amend the “prohibited” species list could take place in November.

According to the DNR, an invasive species is a species not native and whose introduction causes, or is likely to cause, economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.

State law requires the DNR to list a species as “prohibited” if several conditions are met. Those conditions include the organism being not native to the state, not naturalized or if naturalized, not widely distributed.

In addition, the organism must either have the potential to harm human health or to severely harm agricultural, natural or silvicultural resources or effective management controls for the organism are not available.

We support this effort to keep Michigan battling aquatic invasive species which could create devastating problems for Great Lakes fish populations and other resources.