Call Before You Haul
Protect Our Waters from Aquatic Invasive Species
Clean, Drain, Dry - Safeguarding Waterways Starts with You
Aquatic invasive species (AIS) threaten ecosystems, economies, and recreational waterways. The Call Before You Haul program helps prevent the spread of AIS by ensuring all watercraft hauled are Clean, Drain, Dry.
What is Call Before You Haul?
Launched in December 2021 by the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, Call Before You Haul is a 24/7 toll-free hotline, 1-844-311-4873, designed for watercraft haulers. It simplifies compliance and helps ensure boats are inspected, decontaminated (if needed), and legally transported across state and international borders.
How it Works:
1. Call the Toll-Free Number 1-844-311-4873: Haulers provide details about the watercraft's source and destination.
2. Inspection Coordination: The destination state or province is notified to arrange a free inspection, and if necessary, decontamination.
3. Stay Compliant: Haulers avoid fines, delays, and the spread of aquatic invasive species by adhering to state and federal laws.
Why It Matters:
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It's the Law: States and provinces mandate compliance with AIS regulations.
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Protect the Environment: AIS disrupts ecosystems, harms native species, and degrades water quality.
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Prevent Economic Losses: The boating, tourism, and recreation industries depend on healthy waterways.
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Trailered Watercraft Are Key Vectors: One-third of invasive mussel-infested boats intercepted in the Pacific Northwest are commercially hauled.
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Support Industry Growth: Clean, Drain, Dry practices protect haulers, dealers, and buyers alike.
Easy Steps to Prevent AIS Spread:
1. Clean: Remove all plants, animals, and mud from boats and trailers.
2. Drain: Empty all water from wells, ballast, and engines, and pull the drain plug.
3. Dry: Ensure the boat is thoroughly dry before transport.
Learn more about AIS prevention and inspection requirements at westernais.org.
Call Before You Haul Participation Map
Track state-by-state progress and find inspection station details for your route. More than 40 states have integrated Call Before You Haul into their transportation systems.
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Tools for Haulers and Dealers
• Interactive Map: Locate watercraft inspection stations across the U.S. and Canada.
• Dashboard Stickers: Reminders to call the toll-free hotline before transport.
• Contact Information Flier: Western States and Provinces Watercraft Inspection Station contact information
• Best Practice Guides: Resources for dealers, brokers, and auctioneers to ensure boats are Clean, Drain, Dry.
• Commercial hauler informational brochure
• Reducing Transportation of Aquatic Invasive Species via Trailered Watercraft: 1-hour Webinar Video
• Link to the slide deck used for the aforementioned webinar
Together, we can stop the spread of aquatic invasive species. Call Before You Haul to protect waterways
and support sustainable boating industries.
Working Together Produces Real Results
Between 2017 and 2023, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reported intercepting 241 mussel-infested vessels from the Midwest, Southeast, Texas, and the Southwest destined for the Northwest and Canada. The agency confirmed that 1/3 of those vessels were commercially hauled and 50% were recently purchased.
States Taking Action to Protect our Waterways from Aquatic Invasive Species