Managing aquatic invasions: Optimal locations and operating times for watercraft inspection stations

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) cause significant ecological and economic damages around the world. A major spread mechanism for AIS is traffic of boaters transporting their watercraft from invaded to uninvaded waterbodies. To inhibit AIS, several Canadian provinces American states set up inspection stations at roadsides, where potentially infested boats are screened and, if necessary, decontaminated. However, since budgets control limited, can only be operated specific locations daytimes. Though theoretical studies provide managers with general guidelines management, more results needed determine when inspections would most effective. This subject this paper. We show how linear integer programming techniques used optimize policies under budget constraints. introduce our approach as a framework apply it prevention zebra quagga mussels (Dreissena spp.) province British Columbia. consider variety scenarios variations in constraints, propagule sources, model uncertainty affect optimal policy. Based on these results, we identify simple, generally applicable principles management.