June 2018 Pipeline

s
Saskatchewan government
cracking down on pesky
zebra mussels
As reported by CBC News on June 7, 2018
Environment Minister Herb Cox says guards are
watching for contaminated boats entering Sask.
Saskatchewan’s environment minister says the province
is cracking down on boats which may be travelling to
the province with unsavoury critters clinging to them.
Herb Cox, Saskatchewan’s environment minister, said
zebra mussels and quagga mussels are a huge problem
in other provinces, especially in the Great Lakes region.
They can disrupt ecosystems and clog water intake
systems.
Cox said border guards are watching for contaminated
boats entering the province.
“One boat that came in from Alberta — we had a tip
from Alberta that it was coming in,” Cox said. “It was
inspected in the Meadow Lake area — actually, it was a
boat from Ontario originally — and it was headed to
Russell Lake here in Saskatchewan.”
The province decontaminated that boat with one of
two mobile units, according to Cox.
Conservation officers in Saskatchewan are trained to
inspect boats for invasive species, such as zebra
mussels.
“Fourteen of our officers are
trained to run the
decontamination units,” Cox said.
“They have been effective
this summer already.
Prior to the fishing
season starting, we
have intercepted and
decontaminated two or
three boats already.”
Cox said the best way to
prevent the invasive species
coming into Saskatchewan is for
people to voluntarily have their boats
inspected before they re-enter the province.
The government said it is spending more than $100,000
extra this year on fighting the invasive species.
In 2015-16, the province spent $264,000. In 2016-17, it is
expecting to spend $365,000, which is also dependant on the
amount of decontaminations required.
There has also been a $15,000 increase on advertising
campaigns. The province said it is spending $75,000 this year.