Zebra mussels are an invasive species that has been accidentally introduced to numerous areas.
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Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is conducting roadside inspections to prevent the spread of all aquatic invasive species (AIS), including zebra mussels. For example, the one held last month at the Manitoba and Ontario border.
Precisely, from June 21 to 23, DFO fishery officers, with support from provincial AIS inspection staff and the Manitoba Department of Economic Development, Investment, Trade, and Natural Resources, stopped 398 vehicles transporting watercraft and traveling across the provincial boundary.
Of those 398 vehicles, 104 were transporting watercraft or equipment that were not clean, drained, or dry and failed the AIS inspection. According to the government, water users are required to clean, drain, and dry watercraft and water-related equipment when removing them from the water.
"AIS threaten biodiversity by altering food webs, damaging habitats and out-competing native species, causing serious harm to Canada’s aquatic ecosystems," The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard explained.
On the other hand, the Honourable Jamie Moses, Minister of Economic Development, Investment, Trade, and Natural Resources, alerted: "Everyone has a role to play in protecting our waterways, and our province is committed to working together with governments and communities to protect and preserve our waterways from aquatic invasive species for generations to come."
Zebra mussels were introduced to the Laurentian Great Lakes region in the 1980s. Since then, they have spread to water bodies in southern Ontario, southern and central Manitoba, southern Quebec, and New Brunswick.
In addition to the negative ecological impacts caused by their rapid reproduction, they deteriorate infrastructure and property by attaching to hard surfaces such as boats, docks, rocks, plants, and water intakes.