B.C. Conservation Officers say they stopped ten boats that were found to have adult invasive mussels this summer.

“Six of those came from Ontario, two from Arkansas, one from Wisconsin, and one from Manitoba,” Deputy Chief Chris Doyle said during a conference call on Thursday. “Five of these vessels were destined for the Okanagan, three for Vancouver Island, one for the Lower Mainland, and one for the Thompson region.”

As of July 23 he says there have been 12,800 inspections done so far looking for invasive aquatic mussels, noting conservation officers have spoken to about 23,000 people to ensure they clean, drain, and dry their boats.

“Seventy-four watercraft were found to be high risk. 60 contamination orders were issued and six watercraft were issued quarantine periods to meet the required 30 day drying time,” Doyle added.

In all of 2019, there were 95,000 people spoken to by conservation officers as part of 52,000 inspections, of which 1,290 were considered to be high risk. Data also shows there were a total of 22 boats that were found to have invasive mussels last year.

Zebra and Quagga mussels are not native to North America. The government says newly settled mussels are difficult to detect because they are small in size, but they can multiply rapidly and are difficult to eradicate once they gain a foothold in an area.

“The program received advanced notification on seven of the ten mussel fouled boats either from another jurisdiction or by Canada Border Services Agency,” Doyle added.

He says both zebra and quagga mussels can pose a serious threat to B.C.’s aquatic ecosystems, salmon populations, hydro power stations, and other infrastructure.

(Photo via BC Government)