The spread of giant salvinia, an invasive aquatic plant from Brazil, is the focus of a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department campaign to control various non-native species threatening the state’s lakes.

TPWD first warned about the spread of the floating fern in East Texas lakes such as Lake Caddo in 2012. Officials also documented its presence in Lake of the Pines, Lake Wright Patman, Lake Gilmer and Lake Murval.

TPWD is inspecting boat ramps around the state for the foliage and spraying herbicide when the plants are spotted.

TPWD uses an EPA-approved herbicide that’s safe for use in water, doesn’t hurt wildlife and is sprayed directly on the problem plant by trained contractors. It’s part of a multi-faceted, statewide effort to slow the spread of aquatic invasive species. The success of this effort also relies on hunters, fishers and boaters to help take action to avoid spreading invasive species.

And biologists have another tool in their arsenal—weevils that eat giant salvinia. TPWD grows the weevils and introduces them to takes with giant salvinia. TPWD officials note some progress. But they say herbicide will also always be needed in combination with the bio-control approach.

Giant salvinia is usually spread by boaters when the plants cling to their boats and trailers, much the same as with zebra mussels. A single plant transported on a boat trailer from one lake to another can lead to a new infestation.

Giant salvinia can severely limit fishing and boating access as well as displace native beneficial plants that are used as habitat by fish. Once it becomes established in a lake, it is nearly impossible to completely remove.

TPWD crews have been successful in eradicating giant salvinia in some lakes when it was spotted early and confined to the area immediately around a boat ramp, but the best way to prevent it from infesting a lake is not to introduce it at all, officials note.

All boaters should learn to identify giant salvinia as well as other invasive species, such as zebra mussels, that occur in Texas waters, TPWD officials note. Most importantly, boaters should remember to clean their boats and trailers before leaving the boat ramp, they add.

Giant salvinia grows rapidly and can double in coverage in a week. Uncontrolled, giant salvinia can impede navigation, block sunlight from reaching the water and hamper fishing.

More information about how to identify and help control giant salvinia and other invasive species is at www.texasinvasives.org. Anyone can find more information about Texas public hunting and hunting at state wildlife management areas on the TPWD website.