B.C.’s new invasive mussel defence teams have made great strides patrolling highways throughout the province, searching for tiny molluscs on transported watercraft.

Since May 2015, the teams have inspected over 3,200 boats, keeping B.C. safe from invasive quagga and zebra mussels. So far, inspections have taken place in 19 communities, from the Lower Mainland to Valemount, including Kamloops, Osoyoos, Midway, Castlegar, Cranbrook and Golden.

Thanks to the enhanced invasive mussel defence program, 26 watercraft requiring decontamination were identified and addressed, either by inspection crews or through decontamination orders provided to
vessel owners. Four boats required a 30-day quarantine period, in addition to the decontamination, to ensure B.C.’s waters remain protected from invasive mussels. These are the first decontamination and quarantine orders issued under the provincial controlled alien species regulation.

These successes can be attributed to increased early detection and rapid response efforts made possible by $1.3 million in provincial and BC Hydro funding and $360,000 from the Columbia Basin Trust, in collaboration with the Columbia Power Corporation and FortisBC.

Keeping B.C.’s waterways invasive mussel-free is a joint effort by neighbouring states and provinces, and the Canadian Border Services Agency. Mussel inspection programs across the Pacific Northwest notify
each other of watercraft traveling from mussel infested waters.

British Columbia’s enhanced invasive mussel defence program, launched in May 2015, includes six mobile decontamination units, 12 trained auxiliary conservation officers who perform roadside watercraft inspections and decontaminations, as well as expanded monitoring for zebra and quagga mussels and increasing “Clean, Drain, Dry” education and outreach activities.

It is a ticketable offence for failing to report at watercraft inspection stations. Vehicles transporting smaller watercraft such as kayaks, canoes and car toppers are not exempt

B.C. remains free of invasive quagga and zebra mussels. To keep it that way, please remember to practise “Clean, Drain, Dry” when boating in B.C.