Aquatic invasive species a threat to Manitoba waters
- Details
- Published on Thursday, November 24, 2016
Photos by John Drinkwater. Left: S/Sgt. Bob Chabot, Inland Water Transport Coordinator for D division RCMP, presents his talk on Aquatic Invasive Species at the Nov.16 Rotary meeting. Right: Zebra mussels are a prohibited species in Manitoba - dead or alive. However, S/Sgt. Bob Chabot has a special permit to carry samples.
By John Drinkwater
Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press
At the Nov. 16 Neepawa Rotary Club meeting, S/Sgt. Bob Chabot provided an informative talk on Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). Still technically in charge of Spruce Plains Detachment, Chabot is presently Inland Water Transport Coordinator for D division RCMP.
He explained that AIS are any plant, animal, parasite or disease not native to an area, being introduced intentionally or non intentionally. AIS are spread through un-cleaned fishing equipment and gear, release of live bait, internet sales, float planes, wildlife migration and overland movement of recreational watercraft and water based equipment, etc. AIS came to North America through overseas shipping dumping their ballasts in the Great Lakes area.
Chabot concentrated his talk on Zebra Mussels, which are finger-nail sized mollusks, 1 to 3 cm long. They grow in clusters, attaching themselves to submerged surfaces and have large filter feeding capabilities. They are a prohibited species in Manitoba - dead or alive. He said, “They have no natural predators, females can produce up to one million eggs per year and after two to three weeks, start to grow. They impact water flow, clog intake pipes, screens, canals, dams and disrupt water supply to homes, farms, factories, fire hydrants etc. Recreationally, the shells litter beaches, increase drag on boats, motor fouling, sink navigational buoys and reduce sport fishing opportunities.”
To contain the spread of Zebra Mussels Chabot stated, “We educate the public about the threat and demonstrate how to clean, drain and dry watercraft and water related equipment. We focus on day-use boaters at high-traffic boat launches. Since November 2015, provincial AIS legislation, clean, drain and dry is the law and stopping at watercraft inspection stations is a legal requirement.”
Definitions of affected vehicles are: off road, watercraft and aircraft. Watercraft can include a motorboat, sailboat, personal watercraft, canoe or anything designed to transport a person over water. Water-related equipment includes: docks, waders, water tanks, trailers, fishing gear, etc.
Parks Canada has been operating watercraft inspection stations in RMNP for the past two years. With increasing awareness and compliance, let us keep Clear Lake and other areas free of AIS.
