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香蕉视频直播檚 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.
香蕉视频直播淶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 香蕉视频直播� anything. Once they香蕉视频直播檝e been introduced to a lake, it香蕉视频直播檚 impossible to get rid of them for good,香蕉视频直播� says Robyn Hooper, executive director of the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society (CSISS).
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香蕉视频直播淭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,香蕉视频直播� adds Erin Vieira, program manager for the Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC). 香蕉视频直播淭he primary way the mussels would get to the Shuswap is by 香蕉视频直播榟itch hiking香蕉视频直播� on boats, fishing gear, or other watercraft such as canoes and stand-up paddleboards from other lakes where the mussels occur.
香蕉视频直播淲e can keep them out, as long as we follow a couple preventative measures.香蕉视频直播�
Hooper says the mussels aren香蕉视频直播檛 known to be established anywhere in B.C., but they do occur in lakes in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, and several states.
香蕉视频直播淭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,香蕉视频直播� says Hooper.
Watercraft inspection isn香蕉视频直播檛 required for travellers within B.C. However, Shuswap residents can help raise
awareness for the importance of inspection.
香蕉视频直播淲e encourage Shuswap residents to talk to their out-of province friends and family that are bringing watercraft to B.C.,香蕉视频直播� adds Vieira. 香蕉视频直播淭he more people know about Zebra and Quagga Mussels, and the importance of watercraft inspection, the less vulnerable we are to an infestation.香蕉视频直播�
Watercraft owners also ought to clean, drain, and dry their watercraft every time they move from one
waterbody to another.
香蕉视频直播淭his is a really good practice to avoid moving a variety of invasive species, but not as rigorous as a mussel decontamination,香蕉视频直播� says Vieira. 香蕉视频直播淲e can香蕉视频直播檛 over-state the importance of watercraft inspection and decontamination.香蕉视频直播�
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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香蕉视频直播淭his number seems low, but it香蕉视频直播檚 very scary. It will only take a single contaminated watercraft launching in the Shuswap to establish invasive mussels here,香蕉视频直播� says Hooper.
Both organizations recently shared their concerns with a parliamentary committee that香蕉视频直播檚 reviewing the national Aquatic Invasive Species Program.
香蕉视频直播淚 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,香蕉视频直播� Vieira says.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e thankful to MP Mel Arnold for initiating the review,香蕉视频直播� 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香蕉视频直播檚 website at www.shuswapwater.ca.
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