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The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) has teamed up with Formula 1 Tunnel Boat Racing Team Driver Mike McLellan to bring more awareness about invasive mussels.
Mike McLellan (left) with OBWB Chair Doug Findlater (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)
The Don’t Move a Mussel campaign works to protect Okanagan waters by informing the public about the danger of invasive mussels. McLellan is a high profile driver on the racing circuit in Canada and the United States, and he will spread the message to others while on the road. The partnership is welcomed by OBWB Chair Doug Findlater as the province is still vulnerable to infestation. B.C.’s borders currently do not have inspection stations in place to check boats before they enter the province.
Mussels can attach themselves to all parts of boats as Mike McLellan demonstrates (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)
Highly invasive zebra and quagga mussels are illegal in the province, either dead or alive. McLellan said he has encountered several roaming and permanent inspection stations in Canada and the U.S. and says being stopped and checked is a simple process. Findlater says the organization plans to send a delegation to the upcoming UBCM in September to encourage the government to do more to stop the mussels from entering the province.
“It is going to be a delegation from across the valley going to meet with ministers to press the point,” explained Findlater. “Hopefully that has an impact.”
The mussels can be so small they are nearly impossible to detect with just a quick look by a boat owner (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)
First, the delegation has to secure a meeting with the provincial government in order to discuss their concerns for B.C. waters. The provincial government has announced funding to help with the initiative, but it is far from what is needed, according to the OBWB.
“We’ve made progress but it’s frustrating,” said Findlater. “There is a strong case for permanent inspection stations, and it seems every other province and state gets that. Now we need the Province of B.C. to amp it up.”
Signage will be added to Mike McLellan's boat to make others aware of the invasive mussels (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)
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