June 26, 2015
Aquatic Invasive Species Update Bulletin #1
Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship reports that watercraft inspection stations with decontamination units targeting aquatic invasive species (AIS) will be available for boaters at Selkirk Park in Selkirk and in Pine Falls until Monday, June 29. Roving watercraft inspection teams will be moving between boat launches at St. Vital Park in Winnipeg, and in Gimli, Winnipeg Beach, Silver/Arnes harbours and at Hnausa in the South Basin of Lake Winnipeg.
Everyone is asked to do their part:
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clean and remove any visible aquatic plants, AIS or mud from the watercraft, trailer and all
water-related equipment; - drain all water from motor, bilge, bait buckets and any compartments;
- dry all water-related equipment and any hard-to-drain compartments that have contacted the water with a dry towel or sponge before it is used in any other body of water; and
- dispose of unwanted bait and worms in the trash.
Increased awareness of zebra mussels led to the reporting of zebra mussels on a private dock in the Red River, near Selkirk Park. Ongoing monitoring has also shown zebra mussel veligers (larvae) are present in the Red River near Emerson. This was the first time veligers have been found in this portion of the Red River. Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship has been monitoring water in the Red River at Emerson since the discovery of adult zebra mussels in Pelican Lake, Minn., which is part of the Red River basin, in 2009.
Veligers are the free-floating, microscopic stage of zebra mussels that can easily be carried by the current or transported to new areas in undrained water from bait buckets, pontoons, watercraft motors or any onboard compartments.
To report a zebra mussel or any other AIS from a location, take pictures and visit the website at www.manitoba.ca/stopais or call 1-87-STOP AIS-0 (1-877-867-2470).
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