Alberta (Rural Roots Canada) – The provincial government says it has concluded another successful boating season by keeping invasive zebra and quagga mussels out of Alberta’s waterways.

Invasive mussel species have the potential to cause considerable damage to the province’s environment and economy, which includes irrigated crops if left unchecked.

The Alberta government says more than 13,000 boats were inspected during the 2024 boating season, the most since 2019. Of those, 15 were contaminated with invasive mussels, the majority of them travelling from eastern provinces. Twenty fines were issued for failing to stop at an open watercraft inspection station.
“Now that boating season is over, we’re already planning on ways to stop the spread of invasive species and protect our waterways in the years ahead,” said Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, in a statement. “We’re Zebra and Quagga mussel-free, so let’s keep ’em out.”
Invasive species officials decontaminate a watercraft at an inspection station (Credit: GOA)

The problem with these invasive mussels is three-fold: for one, their ability to reproduce is astounding, says Paige Kuczmarski with the Alberta Invasive Species Council. “Zebra muscles are crazy,” she explains. “They’re super small, and their larvae are microscopic. One female muscle can produce up to a million eggs. So, if they were to move in here, it would instantly change the ecosystem.”

Two, invasive mussels are filter feeders. They filter out suspended matter and food particles which harm the native fish population. According to the Alberta government website, excessive feeding by large invasive mussel populations disrupt natural food chains. This results in a depleted fishery (fewer and smaller fish) as the fish don’t have enough food.

And three, their ability to latch onto hard surfaces in dense clusters can result in damaged or clogged underwater infrastructure and irrigation systems which could devastate crops. “Imagine docks, rocks, your boats, and irrigation systems, which is the biggest concern,” notes Kuczmarski. “We don’t want them to be present because that would impact many different things, including recreation agriculture. Anything that water is used over would be impacted by the presence of these muscles.”

Quagga and zebra mussels spread between lakes by clinging to boats and recreational gear. Adult mussels can live out of water for up to 30 days under optimal conditions, while their microscopic larvae, called veligers, can survive for extended periods in standing water. That’s why you must clean all of your gear and watercraft.

Vigilance is key to keeping the invasive mussels out of Alberta’s waterways. So far, zebra or quagga mussels are currently not established in the province. Kuczmarski says extensive actions have been taken to keep it that way, including upping the fines for failing to stop at inspection stations. “Fines have increased from $324 to $4,200,” she says. “As well, it’s mandatory to remove your bilge plug. Failing to do so when transporting a watercraft on a roadway has also increased from $180 to $600. So, we now have the highest fines across North America to ensure that those boats are properly drained and invasive-free before entering the province or moving around.”
To learn more about invasive mussels that threaten the province, you can visit the Alberta government website.
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