While many look forward to hitting the water over the May long weekend, two Shuswap organizations are focusing their efforts on keeping things out of the water.
The increased movement of boats and other types of watercraft into and around the Shuswap means that there乌鸦传媒檚 an increased risk of an accidental introduction of zebra and quagga mussels, small freshwater mussels native to Europe with tremendous destructive potential. The Shuswap Watershed Council and the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society are working together to try to prevent just that from happening.
乌鸦传媒淶ebra and quagga mussels would create enormous problems in the Shuswap because they cling to, colonize, and encrust any hard surface under water: boats, dock pilings, water supply and irrigation systems 乌鸦传媒� anything. Once they乌鸦传媒檝e been introduced to a lake, it乌鸦传媒檚 impossible to get rid of them for good,乌鸦传媒� says Robyn Hooper, executive director of the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society (CSISS).
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乌鸦传媒淭he mussels will litter beaches with their razor sharp shells. They produce foul odours, and they pollute water quality which puts the lake ecosystem and drinking water at risk,乌鸦传媒� adds Erin Vieira, program manager for the Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC). 乌鸦传媒淭he primary way the mussels would get to the Shuswap is by 乌鸦传媒榟itch hiking乌鸦传媒� on boats, fishing gear, or other watercraft such as canoes and stand-up paddleboards from other lakes where the mussels occur.
乌鸦传媒淲e can keep them out, as long as we follow a couple preventative measures.乌鸦传媒�
Hooper says the mussels aren乌鸦传媒檛 known to be established anywhere in B.C., but they do occur in lakes in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, and several states.
乌鸦传媒淭hat means that anyone travelling into B.C. with a watercraft is considered higher risk, and they need to stop at a watercraft inspection station as they pass by. Government staff will inspect and decontaminate your watercraft, if needed, free of charge,乌鸦传媒� says Hooper.
Watercraft inspection isn乌鸦传媒檛 required for travellers within B.C. However, Shuswap residents can help raise
awareness for the importance of inspection.
乌鸦传媒淲e encourage Shuswap residents to talk to their out-of province friends and family that are bringing watercraft to B.C.,乌鸦传媒� adds Vieira. 乌鸦传媒淭he more people know about Zebra and Quagga Mussels, and the importance of watercraft inspection, the less vulnerable we are to an infestation.乌鸦传媒�
Watercraft owners also ought to clean, drain, and dry their watercraft every time they move from one
waterbody to another.
乌鸦传媒淭his is a really good practice to avoid moving a variety of invasive species, but not as rigorous as a mussel decontamination,乌鸦传媒� says Vieira. 乌鸦传媒淲e can乌鸦传媒檛 over-state the importance of watercraft inspection and decontamination.乌鸦传媒�
In 2018 the provincial watercraft inspection program, which is run by the BC Conservation Officer service,
intercepted 25 mussel-fouled watercraft.
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乌鸦传媒淭his number seems low, but it乌鸦传媒檚 very scary. It will only take a single contaminated watercraft launching in the Shuswap to establish invasive mussels here,乌鸦传媒� says Hooper.
Both organizations recently shared their concerns with a parliamentary committee that乌鸦传媒檚 reviewing the national Aquatic Invasive Species Program.
乌鸦传媒淚 think the committee heard loud and clear that British Columbians are especially concerned about Zebra and Quagga Mussels. The Shuswap Watershed Council and the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society have asked for more action from the federal government to stop the spread of these mussels,乌鸦传媒� Vieira says.
乌鸦传媒淲e乌鸦传媒檙e thankful to MP Mel Arnold for initiating the review,乌鸦传媒� adds Hooper.
Any suspected transport or possession of zebra and quagga mussels should be reported to the Provincial RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277. For more information about bringing a boat into B.C., visit the provincial
website at www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/invasive-mussels. For more information on zebra and quagga mussels, visit the SWC乌鸦传媒檚 website at www.shuswapwater.ca.
newsroom@saobserver.net
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