With warmer weather and making plans for holidays and trips to one of Saskatchewan’s lakes or rivers, the provincial government is highlighting Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week. Environment Minister Warren Kaeding says, This week is intended to highlight the threat our province faces when it comes to aquatic invasive species, but more importantly, it also creates awareness that we can support the health of our water and fishery resources by taking preventative measures.” That includes something as simple as removing the plug when transporting your watercraft.

These plants, animals and invertebrates can disrupt the ecosystem and can damage aquatic habitat, fisheries, recreational resources and important power generation and water infrastructure. Some examples of invasive species are zebra mussels, Prussian Carp, flowering rush and the spiny waterflea.

The ministry has eight mobile watercraft decontamination units that support the Aquatic Invasive Species inspection and decontamination program. Inspection stations are set to open next week in Estevan, Regina, Swift Current, Moosomin and Churchbridge, plus there will be mobile inspection stations at strategic locations.

Last July during a routine inspection, a boat that had been purchased outside of the province was found with invasive mussels.
It was checked near the Manitoba border and the boat underwent a full decontamination.