Manitoba pours $540K into fight against aquatic invasive species

Manitoba is promising more money for the fight against aquatic invasive species such as zebra mussels.

The provincial government is funnelling $410,000 into a new fund to support community efforts to prevent the spread of the invasive species.

Local governments and organizations are welcome to apply. 

Environment Minister Mike Moyes told a news conference on the banks of the Red River in Lockport, a popular fishing spot, many at-risk communities already have self-run decontamination stations, and this new program will help to develop more.

The province is also spending $130,000 on specialized equipment. Some examples could include high-pressure washers to clean watercraft. 

Everyone can help: Moyes

Moyes said the government has a role to play in limiting the spread of aquatic invasive species, but so do the people who use Manitoba's waterways.

"Remember those three simple words: clean, drain and dry" your watercraft, he said.

"It's a small thing, but it makes a big difference, and it's required whenever your equipment touches a water body."

The province will also resume its watercraft inspection program as the weather starts to warm up, Moyes added.

Aquatic invasive species are often spread to various rivers and lakes on watercraft and equipment and can clog pipes and damage ecosystems.

While various species have infiltrated Manitoba's waterways, zebra mussels have become a growing concern, in particular.

First discovered in the province in 2013, zebra mussels have since been found in Cedar Lake, Lake Manitoba and recently in Clear Lake, the largest body of water at Riding Mountain National Park.

Last year, Parks Canada banned watercraft from Clear Lake and used an underwater curtain to try to contain and ultimately eradicate zebra mussels, but those efforts were unsuccessful. The federal agency now says it isn't feasible to remove the invasive species from the lake.