You may have brown bagged your lunch but do the water a favour and don’t toss it overboard when you’re finished with that pastrami sandwich. Especially if it’s wrapped in plastic! It takes years for plastic to break down. And it never really goes away. It simply degrades into smaller and smaller pieces – pieces small enough for fish to swallow. Ditch your trash in a trash can on land when you dock, instead.

Gone fishing? Never dispose your fishing line or nets in the water. They could entangle, maim, injure or even kill marine wildlife – from birds to fish. Make sure you grab your gear and dispose of it properly – on land.

When was the last time you got your boat’s engine checked? If that question has you scratching your head, it’s time to book an appointment! The more frequently you check your engine the better. You’re less likely to pollute the waterways you’re boating through when a professional has given your boat a good checkup.

Spills happen. When you refuel on land, you’ll be able to clean up any oil spills quickly. If you refuel on the waterway, you risk the chance that you might be leaking dangerous fuel into your local lake or river.

What would you do if you accidentally spilled fuel? Eeeek! You need an action plan and the right equipment. Make sure you immediately stop the source of the leak, use oil absorbent pads and get in touch with your marina.

You don’t want critters from one body of water hitching a ride to another. So be sure to clean your boat, engine and oars well with green cleaners if you’re transporting it to another lake or river.

Wildlife is more sensitive to the noises you make than you’d think. So avoid disturbing the freshwater and marine wildlife when you set sail. Keep your noise to a minimum to keep the wild critters around you happy.