Caution
blind
passengers
The spread of invasive and alien species in
our waters must be prevented.
The spread of invasive and alien species in
our waters must be prevented.
Caution
blind
passengers
What’s it all about
Alien animals and plants, known as neobiota, are also found in Swiss waters. They are often spread unnoticed by humans and transported from one body of water to another by boats, water sports equipment or fishing gear, for example. Non-native animals or plants also repeatedly enter our waters from aquariums or garden ponds.
Prevention is crucial
.
Alien species can cause millions in ecological and economic damage. Once these species, such as the quagga mussel, have arrived in a body of water, they can no longer be removed or contained. This is why Lake Aegeri and Lake Zug are being protected from aquatic neobiota with various measures.
MEASURES TO PROTECT Lakes Aegeri and Zug
The quagga mussel can spread both as an adult attached to objects and as a tiny larva in a drop of water. It is therefore important to thoroughly clean and completely dry all objects that have been used in one body of water before using them in another body of water.
The quagga mussel was detected in Lake Zug in 2024. Nevertheless, it is important to continue to consistently implement the existing measures to protect against alien organisms. On one hand, further invasive species that are not yet present in Lake Zug could pose a significant threat to the aquatic ecosystem. On the other hand, species that have already been introduced must be prevented from spreading to other bodies of water.
The quagga mussel has not yet been detected in Lake Aegeri, which is why it is under special protection. All lake users are legally obliged to thoroughly clean their equipment before using it in Lake Aegeri.
WHAT EXACTLY MUST
EVERYONE DO?
I am:
Ships & Boats
All registered boats and vessels must obtain a permit in order to launch into Lake Zug or Aegeri. after being used on another body of water must be properly cleaned and reported. This also applies to the launching of external boats (with a registration number other than ZG).
Boat owners with a licence plate from Zug can declare Lake Zug or Lake Aegeri as their home waters. If they are already using their boat on the corresponding body of water, there is no need for cleaning and they will receive the authorisation to enter the water directly.
All other boat owners who wish to transfer their boat from another body of water to a body of water in Zug must have it cleaned beforehand by an authorised cleaning centre.
A granted launching permit is only valid until the next transfer to another body of water and must be presented during inspections.
Important information: Due to the current situation, launching permits for Lake Aegeri after a transfer from another body of water are currently issued only directly by the Office for Forest and Wildlife – very cautiously and after thorough examination.
Further information on the current regulations for Lake Zug and Lake Aegeri can be obtained from the Office for Forest and Wildlife.
Before every change of water:
- Check boat hulls and trailers, engines, ropes, anchors and sports and fishing equipment for plant and animal residues.
- Cleaning: Have your boat professionally cleaned at a recognized cleaning centre.
- Dry the equipment completely before using it on another body of water.
Ships & boats
Diving
Before every change of water::
- Inspect your equipment for any plant or animal residues, especially in jacket/leg pockets, fins, and dive boxes. Release any found organisms back into the original water body.
- Clean your equipment thoroughly with fresh water after each dive (especially important if diving in different waters on the same day and drying is not possible).
- Dry your equipment as thoroughly as possible before using it in another body of water.
- Caution: There is a statutory cleaning obligation for Lake Aegeri!
Diving
Stand-up paddles (SUP), canoes, kayaks, inflatable boats and paddle boats
Before every change of water:
- Inspect stand-up paddles (SUP), canoes, kayaks, inflatable boats, paddle boats and other equipment for plant and animal residues.
- Clean the equipment with clean and preferably hot water. Empty out any residual water at the source.
- Dry the equipment completely before using it on another body of water.
- Caution: There is a statutory cleaning obligation for Lake Aegeri!
Stand-up paddles (SUP), canoes, kayaks, inflatable boats and paddle boats
,Fishing
Before every change of water:
- Inspect your fishing gear and clothing (especially boots and waders) for any plant or animal residues.
- Clean all equipment thoroughly with clean and preferably hot water. Empty any remaining water from containers at the original body of water.
- Dry your equipment completely before using it in another body of water.
- Caution: There is a statutory cleaning obligation for Lake Aegeri!
Never release bait fish.
Fishing
Aquariums and Garden Ponds
- Buying an Aquarium or Creating a Garden Pond
Inform yourself thoroughly about the needs and space requirements of the animals. An aquarium or garden pond requires regular care and maintenance. Before acquiring one, consider whether you have the necessary time and how you will manage longer absences. Nothing should escape from a garden pond, even during a flood. It is best to use native plants and animals for garden ponds. - Can’t keep your water animals or plants anymore?
Look for a new home among friends, on a reputable sales platform, or contact a rescue center. Water plants must be disposed of with household waste or in a professional composting facility. Dispose of aquarium water via the sewage system (not in natural waters or storm drains). - Releasing animals is illegal and harmful!
Our aquarium and garden pond inhabitants often originate from other regions of the world. Most cannot survive in the wild, or they spread aggressively and displace native species. It is therefore prohibited to release non-native animals and plants into natural waters.
Aquariums & garden ponds
Examples of alien species,
which cause problems:
Further information
Video Caution stowaways in water sports
Video boat cleaning
Further information and measures at www.umwelt-
Map of boat washing stations at www.umwelt-zentralschweiz.ch/bootsreinigungsstellen
Contact
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FISH
Black-spotted goby
Neogobius melanostomus
- Example
Spread by the (illegal) release of fish as spawn or larvae in and on boats or other water sports equipment. - Problem
Can endanger the native fish population. Reasons: Eats other eggs/young fish, occupies the habitat of other fish species. - What to do?
Clean boats and other water sports equipment thoroughly before changing waters (see CLEANING section). Do not keep gobies in aquariums, kill captured gobies and do not use them as bait.
Mussels
Quagga mussel
Dreissena rostriformis bugensis
- Example
Mussels or larvae are transported on boats and other water sports equipment. - Problem
Grow in pipes and filters of water supplies or power plants (causes high costs). Filters many nutrients from the water that other species lack. - What to do?
Clean boats and other water sports equipment thoroughly before changing waters (see CLEANING section). Do not release mussels into water.
Other invertebrates
large humpback shrimp
Dikerogammarus villosus
- Example
Spread with boats and other water sports equipment, possibly with released aquarium fish or water emptied from aquariums. - Problem
Predatory omnivore (eats other amphipods, insect larvae and fish eggs), displaces native amphipods and other small animals. - What to do?
Clean boats and other water sports equipment thoroughly before changing waters (see CLEANING section).
Aquatic plants
Nuttall’s waterweed
Elodea nuttallii
- Example
Introduced from ponds or aquariums into bodies of water (intentionally or inadvertently), possibly spread by shipping or water birds. - Problem
Can form dense populations that affect native flora and fauna and hinder boat traffic or recreational activities. - What to do?
Clean boats and other water sports equipment thoroughly before changing waters (see above). Do not dispose of aquatic plants in bodies of water.