Crackdown on invasive mussels sees tons of provincial inspections, fines

Image: Government of Alberta. Fifteen contaminated watercrafts were 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 province’s crackdown on invasive mussel inspections saw some 13,000 inspections down across Alberta in 2024.

New figures released the government report in their goal of keeping Alberta 100 per cent free of dangerous zebra and quagga mussels.

The invasive species can severely harm waterways, destroy habitats and ruin infrastructure, leading to major environmental and financial damage.

Alberta increased fines to the largest in North America to $4200 for those who don’t stop at an open inspection station and $600 for failing to remove a drain plug when transporting a watercraft.

More than 13,000 boats and watercrafts were inspected entering the province, the most since 2019, over 4,500 more than during 2023.

Along with increased fines, the GoA expanded inspection stations and officers, increased the number of inspection stations from five to seven, added a roving inspection team, and launched a multi-phase public awareness campaign to prevent invasive mussels from being established here.

“We stepped up to protect our province and the results speak for themselves. 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. We’re Zebra and Quagga mussel free, so let’s keep’em out,” said Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, in a press release. 

• The expanded Aquatic Invasive Species Watercraft Inspections and Decontamination Program and other efforts in 2024 included:
  • Expanding the number of fixed inspection stations to seven and launched a roving crew.
  • Increasing the number of dedicated watercraft inspectors from last year.
  • Launching a multi-phase public awareness campaign
  • Forming the Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force
  • Establishing the largest fines in North America for failing to stop at an open inspection station and for failing to remove a drain plug when transporting a watercraft.