Okanagan film maker takes up anti-zebra mussel cause

KELOWNA – The campaign to try to do more to protect the province from invasive mussels has expanded to the small screen.

An Okanagan man has produced a new film showing the threat zebra and quagga mussels pose to our waterways.

“The list of negative effects goes on and on and on. It’s kind of a nightmare,” says Brynne Morrice. “They completely decimate every lake and river they get into and there’s no way of getting rid of them.”

The government recently committed $1.3 million to try to protect the province from the mussels, including deploying three mobile decontamination units.

But the vice-chair of the Okanagan Basin Water Board says what is really needed is 24/7 inspection stations at all border crossings between B.C. and Alberta and Washington state.

“We really don’t believe it can be any less than that. We don’t want to minimize the contributions that were made but we don’t believe it’s enough,” says Juliette Cunningham.

The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce is also embracing the anti-mussel campaign.

“All of us as British Columbians have to say to the province ‘This is an absolute must, let’s check every boat that comes into our province,'” says chamber spokesperson Caroline Grover. “We think this is a really small insurance policy against the devastation that could hit everyone of our lakes.”

Morrice has posted his six minute film on the internet saying he hopes the provincial government takes note.

“I hope they really step up and do the maximum. Right now I think they’re doing the minimum.”