May 11, 2017
Province Issues Update on Aquatic Invasive Species Case in Western Manitoba
Manitoba Sustainable Development reports the province’s ongoing aquatic invasive species (AIS) monitoring has found a single suspect zebra mussel in Singush Lake in the southeast portion of Duck Mountain Provincial Park.
As part of the ongoing efforts for monitoring and early detection of AIS, submerged test equipment called substrate samplers were placed in lakes and rivers across the province. These substrate samplers were collected at the end of the season in 2016 and analyzed over the winter. During this analysis, a single damaged mussel was discovered on one of the samplers from Singush Lake. DNA testing conducted by the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans confirmed the sample was consistent with the zebra mussel species.
As a result of this finding, the provincial government is considering Singush Lake “suspect for zebra mussels” and is implementing its early detection and rapid response protocol at this lake. This work will involve ongoing monitoring during the upcoming open-water season on Singush Lake and surrounding water bodies.
Manitobans are reminded to take an active role in preventing the spread of AIS such as zebra mussels by ensuring any vessels or objects that have been in the water are cleaned, drained and dried. Boaters are also reminded the province will once again have decontamination units and watercraft inspection staff located at high-traffic areas of the province this summer. Boaters are reminded to stop at watercraft inspection stations set up on the highways to ensure watercraft are not transporting AIS.
For more information on aquatic invasive species, visit www.manitoba.ca/stopthespread or call (toll-free) 1-87-STOP AIS-0 (1-877-867-2470).
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