The Alberta government is the first in the country to announce mandatory inspections on all watercraft entering the province to prevent the spread of invasive mussels into the province’s lakes and rivers.
Starting on June 1, Alberta is introducing mandatory inspections for anyone with a boat, jet ski, kayak, or any other type of watercraft across the province’s southern and eastern boarders.
Alberta is currently free of zebra mussels and quagga mussels, but fears are rising as more reports come out across Canada and the United States.
Zebra mussels alone cost up to $500 million in damages to power plants, water systems and industrial water intakes in the Great Lakes area.
“Alberta is the first province in Canada to make watercraft inspections mandatory when travelling from high-risk areas to fight these tiny invasive species,” said Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas. “With boating season now underway, we are stepping up to defend our water bodies and ecosystem to continue to protect Alberta jobs, businesses, and the water infrastructure we rely on.”
The mandatory inspections are running from June 1 through September 30. The government is also launching a proof-of-inspection sticker to keep track of which watercrafts have been checked. Failing to stop for a mandatory watercraft inspection could result in a fine of $4,200.
Starting in 2026 and every year onward, the same restriction will be placed on watercraft starting on May 1 continuing through September 30.
13,408 watercraft inspections were completed last year with 15 confirmed positive for invasive mussels. Even though that is a rate of just over 0.1%, the province remains set on preventing any invasive mussels into our lakes.
One study estimates that the introduction of invasive mussels into Alberta’s Lake McGregor alone could cost up to $284 million dollars in damages every year.
“Preventing the introduction of invasive species like zebra and quagga mussels requires proactive action,” stated Megan Evans, executive director of the Alberta Invasive Species Council. “These measures are essential to avoid long-term, costly ecological and economic impacts and to protect our waters and aquatic ecosystems before irreversible damage occurs.”
If you’re headed south of the border this summer, or headed out east for some boating, ensure that you plan to stop for a watercraft inspection on your way back into the province to avoid the fine and to keep our waters clear of invasive species.
