Aquatic activities- Boating, fishing, recreation

Aquatic invasive species are plants, fish and animals that are not from BC, and that can have serious negative impacts on our environment, economy, and society. The most frequent and unintentional transmission of aquatic invasives from one lake or river to another is through the movement of watercraft and recreational equipment.

What can you do?

  • Clean Drain Dry- More than just boats
  • Decontamination Stations and when leaving the Columbia River Watershed
  • Pull the Plug
  • Reporting / RAPP line

CLEAN DRAIN AND DRY:

1. Clean off all plant parts, animals, and mud from all WATERCRAFT and equipment (including: kayaks, canoes, standup paddleboards, swimming/ water toys, swimsuits, boots, waders, fishing gear). Use power wash station if available.

2. Drain onto land all items that can hold water (e.g. buckets, wells, bilge, and ballast).

3. Dry all items completely before launching into another body of water.

Watercraft Inspection Stations

Bringing a watercraft into BC?  It is mandatory to stop at Watercraft Inspection Stations

Images: Invasive Mussels BC Watercraft Inspection Stations 

Do not launch your boat into BC waters unless it has been inspected.

If you require an inspection call 1 877 952 7277

Marinas, boat brokers and boat haulers, please see the Aquatic Industry Best Management Practices document here.

Pull the Plug:

Pull the plug! It’s the law!

Effective May 17 2024 in B.C. it is now illegal to transport your watercraft with the drain plug still in place. Before transporting a boat or other watercraft, owners/operators must remove the drain plug and drain all water on dry land including all internal compartments such as ballasts, bilges, and live wells.

Reporting:

To report Aquatic Invasive Species click this link!

To Report an Invasive Mussel: Call 1-877-952-RAPP (7277)

 

Boat Wash Locations in the Columbia Shuswap Region:

Aquatic Invasive Species of concern in the Columbia Shuswap

    • Whirling disease can be transmitted by infested mud and can decimate salmon populations;
    • Zebra and quagga mussels are not known in BC but if accidentally introduced to BC waterways could send our water and power costs skyrocketing.
    • Invasive calms (Corbicula fluminea) have recently been discovered in the Shuswap Lake and could cause significant economic impacts?
    • Eurasian water milfoil was accidentally introduced to several lakes in the region and has seriously impacted recreational boating and swimming opportunities;

To continue to enjoy our pristine waterways it is vitally important that all boat types, big and small, are CLEANED, DRAINED and DRIED before moving from one water body to another.

Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society