Achi news desk-
The Alberta government is increasing fines and the number of watercraft inspections to keep invasive species out of our waterways.
The province is currently free of zebra and quagga mussels but they are found in Manitoba and Ontario and can easily spread through boats traveling across provincial boundaries. If they become established in our province, they can cause millions of dollars of damage and harm Alberta’s ecosystems.
“Aquatic invasive species, such as zebra and quagga mussels, are a real and growing threat to our waterways, our infrastructure, and of course the livelihoods of many Albertans,” said Environment and Protected Areas Minister Rebecca Schulz. “These species wreak havoc wherever they go, they outcompete native species and leave our fish and wildlife struggling to survive.”
That’s why the province charges fines for anyone who fails to inspect their boats.
Starting June 20, fines for failing to stop with a trailer boat at an open inspection station will go from $324 to $4,200; while the fine for failing to remove the plug will increase from $180 to $600.
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Inspection stations help ensure boats are cleaned, drained, dried and inspected for invasive species.
“We’ve got some beautiful lakes, we’ve got some beautiful streams, we want you to come here and enjoy that,” said Grant Hunter, MLA for Warner-Taber and chair of the new Invasive Species Task Force. “But, we want to make sure you do it responsibly.”
A public education campaign, much like the one the province created to keep Alberta free of rats, will be launched in the coming weeks, along with a task force that will work with neighboring jurisdictions to stop the mussels before reaching Alberta.
& copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
