The Government of Alberta is praising the efforts of boaters and others for setting a record number of inspections this past summer, helping keep the province zebra and quagga mussel free.
This spring, Alberta identified a rising risk of invasive mussels entering the province.
These mussels rapidly damage waterways and infrastructure, destroy habitats and can cause hundreds of millions in damages.
A ramped up effort by the province saw more than 13,000 boats and watercrafts get inspected before entering Alberta, the most since 2019.
That total is over 4,500 more than in 2023.
This led to 15 contaminated watercrafts being detected with invasive mussels attached, a majority of them travelling from eastern provinces. Also, 20 fines were issued for failing to stop at an open watercraft inspection station.
The government also boosted fines and expanded inspection stations to keep the province safe this boating season.
A press release from the Alberta Government says that moving forward, the provincial task force and Alberta Environment and Protected Areas will explore ways to build on this success to strengthen protection against invasive mussels and other aquatic species in 2025.
