Almost 25,000 watercraft were inspected in BC for invasive quagga and zebra mussels this past boating season.
The invasive shellfish could foul beaches, waterways and infrastructure like docks and intake pipes should they get into the province.
“Invasive mussels may be tiny but they pose a huge risk to B.C.’s ecosystems and economy,” said Environment Minister Mary Polak in a news release.
The Invasive Mussel Defence Program has 32 inspection officers at eight entry points along the Alberta and USA borders.
Dead adult mussels were found on 17 watercraft coming from Ontario, Manitoba, Michigan and Nevada.
Forty-six tickets and 36 warnings were issued to motorist who failed to stop as required by law at watercraft inspection stations.
The mussels were brought to North America from Europe in the 1980’s through ship ballast water discharges.
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