Latest news with #ZebraMussels
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
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
State awards grant to treat Amos Lake in Preston for invasive plant species
Preston — The Amos Lake Association, Inc. has received a $20,000 state grant to continue its efforts to curtail hydrilla, an aggressive invasive aquatic weed, from taking hold and spreading in the lake. The grant was one of 12 awarded Thursday by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, totaling $400,000 statewide through the agency's Aquatic Invasive Species grant program. The grants are aimed at reducing aquatic invasive species on inland waterways in Connecticut. Amos Lake Association President Pat Monahan said this is the second time the association has received the invasive species grant. She said the association has raised the required local match of $7,676 through its golf tournaments at the Lake of Isles golf course. First Selectwoman Sandra Allyn-Gauthier said the town had budgeted $800 this year to assist with the local match, but that will not be needed. Monahan thanked supporters and participants in the fundraisers. 'We want to protect the lake for future generations and for the health of the community,' she said. Over the past two decades, the association has successfully battled invasive species in the 115-acre lake off Route 164 near the North Stonington town line. Each year, a crew from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station's aquatics team surveys the lake and reports results. The association provides a narrative on its website, A survey done in 2006 discovered Variable-Leaf Watermilfoil in seven acres of the lake and by 2018, it had spread to 11 acres. The association received a DEEP invasive species grant in 2022 and successfully eradicated the milfoil using ProcellaCOR, described by the association as 'as a safe and targeted, systemic aquatic herbicide that goes to the root and gives a very complete kill of Milfoil species.' After the two treatments, the association reported, 'no variable-leaf watermilfoil was found in the lake.' But a survey in 2023 discovered hydrilla was the only invasive species in the lake near the boat launch. The association speculated it could have been transplanted from a boat that had been in the Connecticut River. The association has posted a QR code on its website under the heading, 'Invasives,' and at the boat launch that leads to the General Benefit Corp.'s instruction sheet on how boaters can examine their boats for invasive species and clean them before launching in a new waterway. 'Invasive species, such as Hydrilla and Zebra Mussels, are a serious threat to freshwater ecosystems and outdoor recreation,' DEEP wrote in a news release announcing the grants. 'Invasive species can negatively affect native plants and animals, and the dense mats formed by invasive aquatic plants can seriously hamper boating, fishing, and swimming.'
