Aquatic invasive species discovered at Saskatchewan border

Saskatchewan conservation officers have made their first discovery this year of an aquatic invasive species while inspecting a boat that was being transported across the Canada-United States border.

In a media release Friday, the Ministry of Environment said invasive mussels were discovered when the boat was inspected last week.

The release said at the end of March, Canada Border Services Agency officers at the port of Regway determined a boat owned by Canadian travellers was a high risk and notified the ministry.

“Because the travellers were required to self-isolate upon their return to the country (under COVID-19 restrictions), the watercraft was sealed, to be inspected at a later date,” the release said.

“During the scheduled inspection last week, conservation officers found invasive mussels inside one of the boat’s storage compartments.”

Officials believe the mussels were picked up by the boat’s anchor. The boat was decontaminated to eliminate the threat.

Boaters are reminded to inspect accessories such as anchors, ropes, buoys and the compartments where they are stored while completing “Clean, Drain and Dry” protocols on their crafts.

The ministry said aquatic invasive species are plant, animal or invertebrate species that can damage the province’s aquatic habitat, fisheries, recreational resources and power generation, irrigation and municipal water infrastructure.