A boat washing station in Clear Lake (PARKS CANADA)
To prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, the province has four boat inspection stations available to the public this weekend.
From today until Monday, August 3, boaters can stop by St. Vital Park in Winnipeg or Selkirk Park in Selkirk.
Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship says two watercraft inspection teams will also be on the South Basin of Lake Winnipeg. One team will rove between Balsam Bay and Grand Beach, while the other team will be stationed at Winnipeg Beach.
“Manitobans are reminded it is illegal to possess or transport zebra mussels in Manitoba,” a news release says. “Zebra mussels are present in the South Basin of Lake Winnipeg and in the Manitoba portion of the Red River.”
To help stop the spread of such species, the province asks boaters to:
• clean and remove any visible aquatic plants, AIS or mud from the watercraft, trailer and all
water-related equipment;
• drain all water from motor, bilge, bait buckets and any compartments;
• dry all water-related equipment and any hard-to-drain compartments that have contacted the water with a dry towel or sponge before it is used in any other body of water; and
• dispose of unused bait and worms in the trash.
To report a zebra mussel or any other AIS from a location, take pictures and visit manitoba.ca/stopais or call 1-87-STOP AIS-0 (1-877-867-2470).
