Invasive Species

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Alligatorweed growing in shallow water, showing green leafy stems and dense aquatic vegetation. — Alligatorweed plant in a wetland area, highlighting an invasive aquatic species that can impact Mississippi waterways and habitats.

Waterway covered with dense giant salvinia, forming a thick green mat around a dock and small boats. — Giant salvinia infestation covering a canal near a dock, illustrating how invasive aquatic plants can block waterways and impact Mississippi ecosystems.

Non-native invasive species can harm Mississippi’s natural environments by outcompeting native animals and plants for food and space. Aquatic invasive plants can degrade water quality, reducing oxygen available to native aquatic species.

The impact to fishing and hunting can be substantial. Fish populations can be reduced by competition from non-native species and reduced water quality. Invasive aquatic plants can cover the water surface, making fishing impossible. Invasive animals have the potential to carry foreign diseases that could affect native animal populations.

Apple snail with a large spiral shell and dark soft body extended, shown up close. — Apple snail close-up highlighting its large coiled shell, an invasive species that can impact freshwater habitats in Mississippi.

You can help Prevent the spread of non-native invasive plants and animals by:

Removing any aquatic plants from boat propellers, intakes, trailers and gear before leaving a launch area.
Never releasing plants, fish or animals into a body of water unless they came out of that body of water.
Eliminating water from equipment before transporting.
Blowing out jet-ski intakes and washing boats and equipment land side before traveling into a new waterway.

For more information on invasive aquatic species, visit the Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers website.

To report invasive species, call the MDMR at (228) 374-5000, email, or report online through the Mississippi invasive species reporting page.

Water hyacinth plant with purple flowers and glossy green floating leaves on the water surface. — Water hyacinth with blooming purple flowers, an invasive aquatic plant that can spread rapidly and impact Mississippi waterways.