SEAPLANES
The ANSTF and National Invasive Species Council (NISC) identified air transportation as a pathway for invasive species introduction and spread. Seaplanes, which broadly include flying boats, amphibious planes, and float planes, have also been identified as a vector in the spread of high-risk invasive species. Implementing pilot best practices can minimize the spread of aquatic invasive species by seaplanes. Two sets of seaplane pilot best practices have been developed to reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species - one for seaplane pilots in the lower 48 and the other for seaplane pilots in Alaska (to address key nuances and differences in seaplane use and infrastructure).
Project Final Report
Click on the final report to the left to obtain all of the deliverables of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-funded project to conduct, "A Risk Analysis to Assess the Potential to Spread Aquatic Invasive Species via the Seaplane Pathway." All of the deliverables that were on the seaplane website that was developed during the tenure of the project are in the report and/or on this page of the https://www.westernais.org website.
Regional Case Studies
Informing pilots about high-risk AIS species that may be present in different regions of the United States could serve as a helpful tool in raising awareness of different types of AIS that could be transported via the seaplane pathway. Regional case studies were developed to distribute to seaplane schools in FAA regions throughout the United States. The methodology used to develop the case studies included identifying the most appropriate high-risk AIS per FAA region. To select the most appropriate species, the following information was compiled for each state:
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FAA region Regional AIS panels associated with the state
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Links to state ANS plans
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Links to worst AIS lists
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Links to noxious weed lists
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Regulations associated with “Worst” and “Noxious” AIS lists
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Links to prohibited wildlife lists and regulations associated with those lists
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Contact information for each state
From this information, AIS lists of prohibited, species of concern, and present were developed and individual species were selected to showcase for each FAA region. Others were identified in a call-out section of each case study to raise awareness about the different types of AIS that could be found in each region. One case study was developed for each region. Information about the species and region are highlighted on the first page of each case study and best practices that prevent the spread of AIS by seaplane pilots (one for Alaska seaplane pilots and one for lower 48 pilots) is shared on the 2nd page .
Want to build your own case study?
Here's the Adobe InDesign template.
Other Resources
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Summary of State Seaplane Regulations (National Sea Grant Law Center 2024)
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Regulatory Crosswalk of Best Practices to Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species via Seaplanes (National Sea Grant Law Center 2024)
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Aquatic Nuisance Species Inspection Procedures For Amphibious Aircraft (Western Regional Panel, 2020)
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Invasive Aquatic Plants and Floatplane Operations: Help prevent new infestations (2013)