This spring, Alberta identified a rising risk of invasive mussels entering the province. Reports of the invasive mussels were increasing across Canada and the United States, as tiny species can be easily spread through boats and other watercraft. These mussels rapidly damage waterways and infrastructure, destroy habitats and can cause hundreds of millions in damages.

This year, Alberta’s government stepped up to keep the province 100 per cent free of dangerous zebra and quagga mussels. More than 13,000 boats and watercrafts were inspected entering the province, the most since 2019, along with increased fines, expanded inspection stations and officers, and other actions that kept the province safe this boating season.

Invasive species officials decontaminate a watercraft at an inspection station

Invasive species officials decontaminate a watercraft at an inspection station (Credit: GOA).

"We stepped up to protect our province and the results speak for themselves. Now that boating season is over, we’re already planning on ways to stop the spread of invasive species and protect our waterways in the years ahead. We’re Zebra and Quagga mussel free, so let’s keep ’em out."

Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas

“Alberta took action to keep invasive mussels out of our waterways this summer, and we did so successfully. We inspected a record number of boats and other watercraft in 2024 and kept the province Zebra and Quagga mussel free. Thank you to all the people who came into the province and did their part by making sure their drain plug is removed and stopping at all mandatory inspection stations.”

Grant Hunter, MLA for Taber-Warner, Chair of Aquatic Invasive Species task force

In 2024, the government established an Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force, increased the number of water inspection stations from five to seven, added a roving inspection team and launched a multi-phase public awareness campaign to prevent invasive mussels from being established here. Alberta now has the largest fines in North America, raising them to $4,200 for failing to stop at an open inspection station and $600 for failing to remove a drain plug when transporting a watercraft.

During this year’s boating season, Alberta inspected 13,408 boats and other watercrafts, over 4,500 more than during 2023. This led to 15 contaminated watercrafts being detected with invasive mussels attached, a majority of them travelling from eastern provinces. Also, 20 fines were issued for failing to stop at an open watercraft inspection station.

Highway signage reminding users to Clean, Drain, Dry watercraft

Highway signage reminding users to Clean, Drain, Dry watercraft (Credit: GOA)

Moving forward, the provincial task force and Alberta Environment and Protected Areas will explore ways to build on this success to strengthen protection against invasive mussels and other aquatic species in 2025.

Quick facts:

  • The expanded Aquatic Invasive Species Watercraft Inspections and Decontamination Program and other efforts in 2024 included:
    • Expanding the number of fixed inspection stations to seven and launched a roving crew.
    • Increasing the number of dedicated watercraft inspectors from last year.
    • Launching a multi-phase public awareness campaign
    • Forming the Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force
    • Establishing the largest fines in North America for failing to stop at an open inspection station and for failing to remove a drain plug when transporting a watercraft.