Photo: contributed
The BC Conservation Service has intercepted a water boat covered in invasive mussels.
When BC Invasive Mussel Defense Program personnel received a notification that a high-risk vessel heading to the Lower Mainland appeared to be covered in invasive zebra mussels, Conservation Service Officers (COS) inspectors they immediately took action.
Officials knew that the consequences of allowing the barge into BC waters could have significant impacts on local ecosystems and infrastructure because the invasive mussel could settle and outnumber native species.
Inspectors located the truck company and its cargo, a massive barge that was transported in two sections 40 feet long, each 10 feet high and 10 feet wide. The barge had traveled from Lake Ontario and was intended for industrial use on a Lower Mainland waterway.
The cargo was redirected to a Richmond warehouse for complete decontamination, which was the largest of its kind for invasive zebra mussels since the program began in 2015.
COS Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) inspectors mobilized quickly from Okanagan and Lower Mainland.
They used specialized equipment to eliminate thousands of invasive mussels for about 10 hours of work in two days.
Many of the mussels were viable, meaning they could multiply in BC waters if given the chance. This has yet to happen in the province.
“This was the largest and most significant discovery of zebra mussels on a jet ski that our teams had ever experienced. To decontaminate the ship, we needed a specialized operating plan and space because of the large size,” COS said. AIS Insp. Dave Webster. “I am proud of the speed with which our teams were mobilized to prevent invasive mussels from reaching BC waters. This is a testament to the success of the Invasive Mussel Defense Program and its coordinated approach to our neighboring provinces to deal with the threat of this invasive species. “
The decontaminated barge received a mandatory 30-day quarantine period, which ended this week.
Some of the mussel samples will be used to train two COS ban detection dogs, Kilo and Major. German shepherds are trained to detect invasive mussels and often assist at boat inspection stations throughout BC during the summer.
“Zebra mussels can be smaller than a fingernail, but they cause huge problems if they invade lakes and streams. Not only can they clog water pipes and ruin ship engines, but they can cause significant damage to the aquatic ecosystems that support them. local plant and wildlife species. ”said Josie Osborne, Minister of Territory, Water and Custody of Resources.
Mandatory boat inspection stations are open throughout the province to prevent harmful zebras and quagga mussels from sticking to boats and entering BC waterways.