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Thanks to solid communication, British Columbia’s invasive mussel defence program experienced a successful pilot year, inspecting over 3,200 boats in the process.
“We’ve got a lot done and we’re learning a lot about where boats move in British Columbia, so we can be more effective next year,” said Matthias Herbog, PhD, Ministry of Environment.
Mobile throughout 19 communities in British Columbia, the program worked to decontaminate high-risk boats and protect our waters from quagga and zebra mussels.
Since the program was launched in May, 2015, a total of 26 watercrafts requiring decontamination were identified and addressed and four boats were quarantined for a 30 day period.
According to Herbog, government officials at every level here in B.C. and across the country have worked together to ensure that these invasive little creatures do not enter our fresh waterways.
“We all have to work together if we are likely to be successful,” added Herbog.
If the mussels infiltrate the comprehensive Columbia watershed, the invasive species will spread through the country’s fresh water system rapidly, explained Herbog.
In order to make the inspection process more effective and efficient, the defence program is working on a process that will allow boaters to notify officials as they are coming into B.C.’s fresh waterways
B.C.’s enhanced invasive mussel defence program includes six mobile decontamination units, 12 trained auxiliary conservation officers, as well as education and outreach activities.
Failing to report to a watercraft inspection station could result in a fine. Vehicles transporting smaller watercraft such as kayaks, canoes, and car toppers are not exempt from inspections.
Thanks in part to this defence program, B.C. remains free of invasive quagga and zebra mussels.
To report a boat/equipment affected by quagga or zebra mussels, contact the B.C. Conservation Officer’s Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline at 1-877-952-7277
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