Alberta proposes increased protections against invasive aquatic species
Alberta’s Budget 2025, if passed, would invest $18.2 million over five years to expand the province’s aquatic invasive species inspection, detection and rapid response programs.
Currently, Alberta is 100 per cent free from zebra mussels, quagga mussels and other aquatic invasive species, but reports are continuing to increase in other provinces and states across North America. These species can wreak havoc on waterways and ruin infrastructure, destroy habitats and cause hundreds of millions in damages.
“Our province is doing more to fight these invasive species than anywhere else in Canada,” said Rebecca Schulz, minister of environment and protected areas. “These additional inspection stations and K-9 inspection dogs will help us step up protections across Alberta, and we will be announcing even more right before boating season.”
Last year, Alberta enacted multiple policies to protect the province from these species, including introducing the highest fines in North America, launching the Provincial Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force, expanding inspection stations and inspectors and advocating to the federal government for increased action.
