Latest news with #aquaticInvasiveSpecies
Globe and Mail
03-07-2025
- General
- Globe and Mail
Fisheries and Oceans Canada partners with the Manitoba Government to conduct an aquatic invasive species roadside inspection blitz
WINNIPEG, MB , July 3, 2025 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is conserving nature and biodiversity and protecting our freshwater, including by combatting aquatic invasive species (AIS), such as Zebra and Quagga Mussels. AIS pose a serious threat to Canada's freshwater ecosystems, infrastructure, and economy. These species reproduce rapidly, disrupt native habitats, damage water intake systems, and lead to costly impacts for industries and local communities. To help protect Canada's waterways from these threats, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), in partnership with the Manitoba Government, conducted a joint roadside inspection blitz on Highway 1 (the Trans-Canada Highway) near the Manitoba - Ontario border from June 20 to 22, 2025 . The goal was to stop and inspect watercraft for AIS and to ensure the watercraft were cleaned, drained and dried before crossing the provincial border. During the three-day inspection blitz, DFO's AIS Core Program and Fishery Officers, along with Manitoba Conservation Officers, Patrol Officers, and staff from their AIS program, stopped and inspected a total of 383 vehicles transporting 436 watercraft or related equipment. Of these: 326 watercraft were compliant with clean, drain, dry requirements. 110 watercraft were not cleaned, drained, or dried and failed the AIS inspection. 38 watercraft required decontamination and drivers were provided with instructions on how to comply with prevention measures in the future. 2 watercraft had visible Zebra Mussels present. Preventing the introduction and spread of AIS is essential to safeguarding Canada's waterways. Inspecting watercraft and ensuring they are properly cleaned, drained, and dried helps prevent AIS from being introduced to, and established in, new bodies of water. A second joint roadside inspection blitz is planned for later this year. Quotes " Canada's natural heritage is part of our identity. Protecting our diverse and unique waterways from the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species is vital to preserving the health of our natural environment now, and for future generations. This joint inspection blitz with the Manitoba Government demonstrates the importance of collaboration and public awareness in preventing the spread of these harmful species in our waters." The Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries "Manitobans care deeply about our beautiful lakes and rivers and being able to enjoy them today and for generations to come. As the summer season begins, we appreciate the strong collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada to stop the spread of AIS and to protect waterways on both sides of the Manitoba - Ontario border. I want to remind Manitobans and visitors to play their part by cleaning, draining, and drying their watercraft and equipment." The Honourable Mike Moyes, Manitoba Environment and Climate Change Minister "Our lakes and rivers are a part of who we are in Manitoba . They're where we gather, fish, paddle, and make memories. That's why stopping the spread of aquatic invasive species is so important. I'm proud to see this kind of hands-on collaboration between the federal and provincial governments, working together to protect the water we all depend on." The Honourable Terry Duguid, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Quick Facts Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are freshwater or marine plants, animals, algae and micro-organisms introduced outside their natural or past distribution that have significant negative impacts on the environment, economy, society, or human health. AIS can pose a serious threat to the biodiversity of Canada's waters. After habitat loss, invasive species are the biggest threat to global biodiversity. They can grow quickly, compete with native species and alter habitats, and cost billions of dollars annually in damages to infrastructure and revenue loss in Canada . Under the Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations, it is illegal to: introduce an aquatic species into a body of water where it is not native, unless authorized by federal, provincial or territorial law possess, transport, and release Zebra Mussels in Manitoba , Saskatchewan , Alberta and British Columbia import Zebra Mussels into Canada , except within the transboundary waters of the Great Lakes in Ontario and transboundary waters of Quebec Individuals who violate legislation related to aquatic invasive species may face substantial fines under provincial legislation, as well as a maximum fine of $100,000 for a first offense under the federal Fisheries Act. Associated Links Clean, Drain, Dry and Decontaminate Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations Identify an aquatic invasive species Report an aquatic invasive species Province of Manitoba | Aquatic Invasive Species Stay Connected
CTV News
12-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Sask. aiming to stop aquatic invasive species with inspection stations
This undated file photo provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, shows a group of zebra mussels. (AP / U.S. Department of Agriculture) Saskatchewan is aiming to keep aquatic invasive species (AIS) out of the province and will have inspection stations set up until October along highways and near bodies of water. 'If you are transporting a watercraft and see an active inspection station, you must stop – it is the law,' Environment Minister Travis Keisig said in a news release. AIS refers to plants, fish, invertebrates and diseases that are not natural in a particular area and negatively impact the environment, economy and society, the province says. In Saskatchewan, well known AIS include zebra and quagga mussels, which the province says have not been detected in recent years. The province says people can avoid spreading AIS by knowing what to look for, with a list available on its website. Residents are also encouraged to follow Saskatchewan's clean, drain and dry guidelines for watercraft, trailers and equipment. Following those guidelines is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of AIS in Saskatchewan, the province said. 'Every year, our watercraft inspection staff intercept various types of watercraft, from kayaks to sailboats, carrying invasive mussels. We also decontaminate many watercraft coming into the province from high-risk areas that are not properly cleaned, drained or dried,' Keisig said in the release. More information can be read here.
CBC
23-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
'1 lake, 1 boat' policy intended to keep invasive species out of Pelican Lake sparks concerns from businesses
Social Sharing New boating regulations at Pelican Lake are raising concerns among some business owners, who say the changes may drive visitors away from the southwestern Manitoba region during the crucial summer tourism season. Dorothy Bright, who co-owns a gas station in Ninette, says her business has already taken a hit since the Rural Municipality of Prairie Lakes introduced new rules aimed at preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species like zebra mussels. She said she's seen a 31 per cent drop in sales compared to this time last year. If things continue to get worse, she doesn't know if her business will survive. "They've locked up our lake," she said. "The tourists aren't coming because they've heard." The RM's new "one waterbody watercraft" bylaw means boaters who want to use Pelican Lake can't use their watercraft in other bodies of water without inspection and decontamination. The municipality's aquatic invasive species prevention plan includes a $100 seasonal fee for motorized watercraft and $25 for non-motorized vessels for residents, who will receive a decal that will "confirm that the watercraft is declared a one-waterbody watercraft," the bylaw says. Visitors will have to pay a $40 inspection fee before they're allowed to launch boats on the lake. To enforce the new system, which officially came into effect May 5, more than 20 lake access points have been blocked, and an inspection station has been set up in Ninette. Boat launch gates are now open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The municipality says the rules are necessary to protect the lake's ecosystem and the long-term viability of tourism. But Bright worries the fees will drive people to visit other lakes, where they can access the province's free aquatic invasive species inspection program. "None of the other lakes are locked down," she said. "We are the only ones with this exorbitant fee." Lake health a priority: reeve Prairie Lakes Reeve Darren Seymour says the RM has spoken with other regions impacted by aquatic invasive species, and found that prevention is key. "We certainly don't want to impact our businesses locally. We don't want to deter travel," Seymour said. "But if we were to contract [invasive species], that would be detrimental to our businesses as well, and it would be detrimental to the ratepayers around the lake who own the cottages." Invasive species like zebra mussels have become a concern elsewhere in the province. North of Pelican Lake, Parks Canada has banned the use of motorized watercraft on Clear Lake this year, in an effort to curtail the spread of the invasive species, which was first discovered in the province in 2013. Zebra mussels have since been found in Cedar Lake and Lake Manitoba, as well as Clear Lake. Seymour said there's no sign of zebra mussels in Pelican Lake yet, but the RM is monitoring for them. He said there's been buy-in from the Prairie Lakes community on preventing the spread of invasive species in Pelican Lake, with 219 permits for motorized watercraft and 182 for non-motorized vessels sold locally. The program is currently being paid for entirely by the fees paid by lake users, and will cost an estimated $120,000 to $140,000 for inspections, staffing and infrastructure, including a newly built inspection shed and barrier installations, said Seymour. The initial work to get the program off the ground has relied on a volunteer group, Friends of Pelican Lake. Seymour says the members of the group have not been publicly named due to personal attacks on social media. "We're doing everything we can to keep the cost down for the fisherman that's travelling here, to protect the businesses. We're doing everything to keep the cost down for the local ratepayer as best we can," Seymour said. But not all municipalities around Pelican Lake are on board with these plans. The RM of Killarney-Turtle Mountain, which borders about a third of one side of the lake, has declined to participate in the access control program. Two boat launches fall along the boundary between the two municipalities, but Seymour says the risk of non-compliance is minimal. "Is one or two boats going to get in, or a few boats going to circumvent the program and get in at those locations, possibly?" Seymour said. "One or two boats is a small fraction of the boats that are adhering to the program and going through it." The RM of Killarney-Turtle Mountain said in a statement it supports aquatic invasive species education and prevention, but is not prepared to implement access restrictions on the lakes within its jurisdiction. Economic fallout Meanwhile, businesses like E&J Bait say they're feeling the effects. Owner Eric Evans says business has dropped dramatically compared to last year. From May 1 to May 20, sales of seasonal boat launch passes were down 85 per cent, daily passes were down 89 per cent, and overall sales dropped over 80 per cent, he said. "With the chains and gates up, it has a bad outlook on the town, and it's potentially keeping people away and causing them to go elsewhere," Evans said. He believes education, rather than restrictions and fees, would be a more effective solution. "I just feel like this, the whole mitigation plan, is going to affect the town more than I think they realize," Evans said. Bright agrees, saying the municipality should find a way to make the program free to encourage more people to participate and learn how to prevent the spread of invasive species. She wishes the community had been a bigger part of the conversation before the program was implemented. "The community as a whole is, they're supportive, they understand that the lake is important, but we also understand that economically this hurts," Bright said.
