03/28/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/28/2024 09:27
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Currently, Alberta is 100 per cent free of zebra and quagga mussels. However, increased detections in Idaho and Manitoba last year are increasing the risk of invasive mussels being introduced into the province.
Alberta's government is stepping up its defences. The province is increasing the number of watercraft inspection stations, adding more dedicated watercraft inspectors, and setting up a new task force on aquatic invasive species. Alberta is also calling on the federal government to conduct mandatory inspections at the United States border.
Inspectors decontaminate a boat for invasive species at an inspection station in Alberta (Credit: Government of Alberta)
"These invasive species pose a real and costly threat to other species living in our lakes and rivers, as well as to the water and irrigation infrastructure that we depend on for our economy and for drought and flood protection. We are stepping up to defend Alberta's borders from these dangerous invasive species."
Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas"Alberta cannot let down its guard. With invasive mussels and other species rising in nearby provinces and states, we must increase our inspection and detection programs. By improving protections today, we can protect Alberta from the massive impacts that these invasive species can have on our province. A big shout out to the Premier for her tireless advocacy on this issue."
Grant Hunter, MLA for Taber-Warner
"Preventing invasive species like zebra and quagga mussels from establishing in Alberta is the best and most cost-effective defence against them and we applaud any measures that will increase detection, prevention and awareness. Invasive mussels would substantially and irreversibly alter the aquatic ecosystems, infrastructure, tourism, and the way we recreate in waterbodies should they become established.
"While boats represent the primary pathway for invasive mussel introduction, it's crucial to address additional avenues of spread. For instance, in 2021, Alberta narrowly avoided a zebra mussel invasion via moss balls sold in pet and aquarium stores. Thanks to early detection and a strong response from the provincial government, this threat was averted. This underscores the broader danger posed by invasive species-be they plants, fish, diseases, rats, wild boar, and more-to Alberta's environment and economy."
With growing concerns across Alberta, Canada and the United States, Alberta's government is also developing a new aquatic invasive species task force, which will be led by Taber-Warner MLA Grant Hunter. The task force will work with partners to discuss critical topics like how to improve border protections, ways to strengthen the province's rules and programs, and whether stronger penalties, restrictions or other approaches are needed.
Zebra and quagga mussels and other aquatic invasive species can be easily introduced by boats and other watercraft moving across borders. If established inside Alberta's borders, they could wreak havoc, threatening ecosystems and costing more than $75 million annually in damages to irrigation infrastructure, according to recent estimates.
Alberta's government is investing $2.5 million to increase watercraft inspection and decontamination. We will increase the number of fixed watercraft inspection stations from five to seven this year, and a new roving inspection crew will criss-cross the province to follow-up on notices from the Canadian Border Service Agency and increase inspections at high traffic locations and events. The goal is to add four more stations in 2025.
Alberta will also add an additional dog and handler team to the invasive species K-9 inspection unit. Alberta Environment and Protected Areas will invest $400,000 to expand its K-9 unit to three dog and handler teams and collaborate with the team in Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation on high-priority projects such as invasive species detection.
"These additional investments are great news for our watersheds, and will help protect the environment and economy from these serious threats on our doorstep. Aquatic invaders would seriously damage our natural ecosystems and these proactive steps will help prevent them from reaching Alberta."
Shannon Frank, executive director, Oldman Watershed Council"Introducing zebra and quagga mussels into Alberta's irrigation conveyance infrastructure will result in significant treatment costs to manage mussel populations. Total eradication from reservoirs and other waterbodies will be impossible. The Alberta Irrigation Districts Association is pleased to see increased investment by the Alberta government to expand key prevention activities to protect irrigation and other water management infrastructure from the introduction of aquatic invasive species."
Alex Ostrop, Chair, Alberta Irrigation Districts AssociationWhile Alberta is stepping up, international border control is a federal responsibility. On March 25, Minister Schulz wrote to Diane Lebouthillier, federal Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, calling for the Canada Border Services Agency to conduct mandatory inspections and decontaminations on all watercraft entering Canada from the United States. Mandatory inspections are necessary to prevent these invasive mussels from entering Alberta and other provinces.