Keeping Alberta Invasive Mussel Free.
| Published date | 28 March 2024 |
M2 PRESSWIRE-March 28, 2024-: Keeping Alberta Invasive Mussel Free
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RDATE:28032024
Alberta's government is taking action to protect lakes and waterways from aquatic invasive species including Zebra and Quagga mussels.
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.
"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...
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