The Government of Saskatchewan has announced that they have concluded their mussel motioning program and have detected zero cases of the invasive species.

“Prevention is of the utmost importance,” Environment Minister Dustin Duncan said. “Our government focuses on public awareness through education and targeted signage about our Clean, Drain, Dry program, roadside boat inspections, decontaminations and regular monitoring of Saskatchewan’s busy waterbodies.”

Officers noted that out of the 2,084 boats watercrafts that they saw, 307 received an inspection and 119 need to be decontaminated.

“Aquatic invasive species such as zebra and quagga mussels pose a serious threat to lakes and waterways in western Canada,” Duncan said. “They are small but destructive mussels, and they are already in Ontario, Manitoba, Quebec and 34 states, including Minnesota, Montana and North Dakota.”

Zebra mussels, along with quagga mussels and other invasive species are very difficult if not impossible to eradicate once they enter the waterbody, so it is becoming more and more important to keep Saskatchewan waters free of these species.

It is illegal to transport aquatic invasive species and is convicted, carries a $500 fine. It is also mandatory for those transporting watercraft to stop at an inspection station and submit to an inspection. If you refuse, you could be facing a $500 as well.