August 20, 2015
Aquatic Invasive Species Update Bulletin # 9
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 St. Vital Park in Winnipeg today through Monday, Aug. 24. In addition, one watercraft inspection team will rove between Balsam Bay and Winnipeg Beach on the South Basin of Lake Winnipeg, and another team will be stationed at Lockport on the Red River.
Increased awareness of zebra mussels led to the reporting of adult zebra mussels discovered on a watercraft in Brandon. The watercraft came from Ontario and was being serviced by a marine dealer who made the discovery. As directed by the province, the watercraft is being quarantined and with the co-operation of the boat owner it will be taken to Riding Mountain National Park where watercraft inspector staff will fully decontaminate the watercraft.
Manitoba advises that veligers are now present at eight new locations between Grindstone Point located in the channel and the South Basin of Lake Winnipeg. Counts as high as 772 veligers have been confirmed in a sample collected offshore near Gimli. Manitoba partners with the Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium to collect water samples for analysis of zebra mussel veligers from the M.V. Namao. This sampling is part of a larger, ongoing monitoring initiative.
Manitobans are reminded it is illegal to possess or transport zebra mussels in Manitoba. Zebra mussels are present in Lake Winnipeg south of Grindstone Point and in the Manitoba portion of the Red River.
Everyone is asked to do their part and:
• 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 unused bait and worms in the trash.
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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