Boat Inspection Stations: Keeping Invasive Mussels Out of BC’s Waters
July 26, 2016
This past spring, the BC government announced a $2 million annual program to protect BC waters from invasive species of mussels. From April through October, eight inspection stations are operating along the provincial and US borders, inspecting boats and trailers that could be transporting these mussels on their hulls. Boats of interest, or those that are contaminated or inadequately cleaned, will be stopped and decontaminated before travelling into the province. Anyone who transports a boat into or within B.C. needs to clean the boat, trailer and other equipment by completely removing aquatic animals, plants and mud that are present, drain all water out of bilges, ballast tanks, engines or live wells, and ensure the boat is dry. For further details read this fact sheet or visit the Province’s website.
