AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES Program Updates Sharina Kennedy Alberta Environment & Sustainable Resource Development
What are Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)? Not native Animal, plant or pathogen No effective natural or native predators Poses a significant risk to the economy, environment and/or human health
Sources of Initial introduction Sources of secondary spread
Invasive Mussels Can live up to 30 days out of water Filter feeders (up to 1 liter per day per mussel) remove phytoplankton, zooplankton, algae No feasible control options Free-floating microscopic larval form (veligers) Any attached mussel is an invasive mussel (freshwater)
Estimated annual costs of an Alberta invasive mussel infestation Impact category Annual cost Power generation $5,938,487 Drinking water systems $20,839,921 Boat maintenance $390,600 Recreational fishing $21,830,892 Water management structures $8,841,373 Water diversion intakes $3,910,000 Property value $13,789,500 Non-use No quantified at this time Total annual cost estimated $75,540,773 Neupane, A. An Estimate of Annual Economic Cost of Invasive Dreissenid Mussels to Alberta. ESRD. November 2013
Environmental impacts Filter enormous amounts of plankton impacting entire food web Smaller and fewer fish Accumulate toxins Pollution Create toxic algal blooms Avian botulism Outcompete native species
Before After
Will mussels like it here? Zurawell, R. Risk of Dreissenid Mussels to Alberta Based on Calcium Data. ESRD, 2013.
Department of Fisheries & OceansRisk Assessment Ecological risk is high Western provinces highly susceptible to quagga & zebra mussel infestation Water quality data Habitat suitability Need more info on boat traffic Increased education & boat cleaning stations will decrease risk of invasion
Mussel-fouled boats (2013): 1. Sylvan 2. Pigeon 3. Gull 4. Wabamun 5. Slave 6. Whitefish 7. Hay River *snowbirds *used boats (US) 8. Chestermere 13
NEW! AIS prevention program in Alberta Response Inspections Provincial AIS Prevention Program Policy & Legislation Monitoring Education & Outreach
AIS Response Hotline (1-855-336-BOAT) Rapid response plan for Dreissenidmussels (detection in water body) Control options & recommendations Engage ARD, irrigation districts, industry, etc. Base on existing models & modify Decontamination protocol for mussel-fouled boats (per the MO) Regional leads: decon activities Equipment needs & legal advice 15
AIS response protocol for Alberta 1-855-336-BOAT Radio Control Center Inquiry ESRD Info Center/ AIS Coordinator Fisheries Officer (FWO, CO, etc.) Support from decontamination staff AIS ALERT: ESRD, AARD, SolGen, TPR, CBSA, Parks Canada 1-855-336-BOAT
Education & Outreach Focus on behaviour change CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY Task Team to address Boaters Anglers Aquarium/pet stores Cultural release Educational products & materials Municipal/Stewardship Group Toolkit Website: www.esrd.alberta.ca or www.mywildalberta.ca Signage for boat launches 17
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Monitoring Juveniles (veliger sampling) Adults (artificial substrates) 2013: 55 water bodies province-wide Planning for the future: Increase monitoring efforts Boat traffic data Build partnerships: ALMS, ARD, TPR Aquatic plants, invertebrates & fish
2014 Watercraft inspections Focus on highest risk Southern & Eastern borders Trailered watercraft Modeled after inspections in western states Major highways Seasonal staff Pilot use of weigh stations Voluntary Dependent on partnerships: Fishery Officers, Commercial Vehicle Inspectors 20
Current AIS Policy & Legislation Alberta Weed Control Act Schedule 1: Eurasian watermilfoil Purple loosestrife Flowering rush Himalayan balsam Yellowflag Iris Fisheries (Alberta) Act 42: Restricted possession: Zebra Mussels & Sea lamprey 32(2): Threats to fish health Ministerial Order Quagga mussels Authority to Fishery Officers
PotentialFuture PolicyDirection DFO Changing Regulations Asian carp & Dreissenidmussels Assistance from CBSA? DFO? CFIA? Fisheries (Alberta) Act/General Regs Restricted possession list Addition of species Watercraft inspections Authorities provided to Fishery Officers Drain plug? Weed rule? Aquarium/intentional releases Invasive Species Act All invasive species in one place (terrestrial & aquatic)
Priority areas Safeguard borders: US/Canada, provincial Engage law enforcement Address policy & legislative gaps Raise the profile: boaters, snowbirds, public Build partnerships Launching CLEAN DRAIN DRY campaign
Help us spread the word! 1-855-336-BOAT Kate Wilson Aquatic Invasive Species Program Coordinator Alberta Environment & Sustainable Resource Development Kathryn.wilson@gov.ab.ca (780) 427-7791