Mercury Marine and Florida Sport Fishing TV educate boaters on invasive species

FOND DU LAC, Wis. (October 11, 2014) -Mercury Marine, the world leader in commercial and recreational marine propulsion and technology, has partnered with Captain Mike Genoun of Florida Sport Fishing TV to educate boaters and divers on invasive species and the irreparable damage they can cause to the ecosystem.

You can view Genoun's message on the Mercury Marine YouTube page:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRNMjEYwW3g&feature=youtu.be

Zebra, quagga mussels, Asian carp and snakefish have long been known to pose threats to boaters. However, lionfish have the potential to become the most disastrous marine invasion in history, by drastically reducing the abundance of coral reef fish and leaving behind a devastated ecosystem, according to Genoun.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, aquatic invasive species like zebra mussels and Eurasian water milfoil spread to new waters by hitching rides on boats and trailers. Additional tips on invasive species prevention for boaters, seaplane pilots and anglers can be found on the Wisconsin DNR website.

Legislation to manage invasive species also is on the table. Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mich., introduced U.S. House of Representatives bill HR 4001 in February 2014. The bill authorizes the secretary of the U.S. Army to address aquatic invasive species issues, particularly Asian carp, which are a considerable threat to the Great Lakes region. The current bill aims to design a barrier to carp invasion of the Great Lakes.

Additionally, the American Boat and Yacht Council recently was awarded a grant by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for a summit dedicated to "Boat Design and Construction in Consideration of Aquatic Invasive Species." The summit will take place Jan. 27-28, 2015, in Las Vegas. For more information, contact Shannon Seipp at sseipp@abycinc.org or visit www.abycinc.org.

For more information on all issues involving the marine industry, visit www.nmma.org.

About Mercury Marine

Headquartered in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Mercury Marine is the world's leading manufacturer of recreational marine propulsion engines. A $2 billion division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), Mercury provides engines, boats, services and parts for recreational, commercial and government marine applications, empowering boaters with products that are easy to use, extremely reliable and backed by the most dedicated customer support in the world. Mercury's industry-leading brand portfolio includes Mercury and Mariner outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrive and inboard packages; MotorGuide trolling motors; Mercury propellers; Mercury inflatable boats; Mercury SmartCraft electronics; Attwood marine parts; Land 'N Sea marine parts distribution; and Mercury and Quicksilver parts and oils. More information is available at mercurymarine.com.

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