The State of Maine has good decon protocols at:
http://www.maine.gov/dep/blwq/docmonitoring/biomonitoring/materials/sop_dea_decon.pdf
The use of decontamination protocols by field biologists is a wise
precaution that may, in some cases, slow or prevent the transfer of
pathogens between sites.
However, I strongly urge that field biologists consider the issue of scale
when planning a decontamination protocol for gear used at multiple sites.
Since concern is particularly high for pathogens of amphibians, ask the
question: are the wetlands that I will be working in likely connected by
the migrations and movements of amphibians and other terrestrial organisms?
(*i.e.* are the wetlands in the same local watershed?) If so, it seems
fairly silly to be decontaminating field gear between trips to, for example,
nearby vernal pools, since the wildlife will already be moving any pathogens
between the wetlands much more effectively than a couple of biologists and
their nets and waders. Recall that the principal known pathogens of
amphibians in our area, *Batrachochytrium* and *Ranavirus*, are already
ubiquitous in New England.
The use of good decontamination protocols thus generally becomes
increasingly important as the distance between field sites increases.
Best wishes,
Bryan Windmiller
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