BC Conservation Service intercepted a floating boat covered in clams. When BC Invasive Mussel Defense Program staff were notified that a high-risk vessel headed for the Lower Mainland appeared to be covered in invasive zebra mussels, Conservation Officer Service (COS) inspectors immediately sprang into action. Officials knew the consequences of allowing the barge in B.C. they could have significant impacts on local ecosystems and infrastructure because the invasive mussel could establish and outcompete native species. Inspectors located the trucking company and its cargo, a huge barge that was transported in two 40-foot sections, each 10 feet high and 10 feet wide. The barge had traveled from Lake Ontario and was destined for industrial use on a Lower Mainland waterway. The shipment was redirected to a Richmond warehouse for full decontamination, the largest of its kind for invasive zebra mussels since the program began in 2015. COS Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) inspectors were quickly mobilized from the Okanagan and Lower Mainland. They used specialized equipment to remove thousands of clams during about 10 hours of work over two days. Many of the mussels were viable, meaning they could multiply in BC waters if given the chance. This has not yet been done in the province. “This was the largest, most significant discovery of zebra mussels on a vessel that our teams had ever experienced. To decontaminate the vessel, we needed a specialized operational plan and space due to the sheer size,” said COS AIS Insp. Dave Webster. “I am proud of how quickly our teams mobilized to stop invasive mussels from reaching BC waters.” The disinfected barge was issued a mandatory 30-day quarantine period, which expired this week. Some of the mussel samples will be used to train two COS interdiction detection dogs, Kilo and Major. German Shepherds are trained to detect invasive mussels and often assist at boat inspection stations throughout B.C. during the summer. “Zebra mussels may be smaller than a fingernail, but they cause huge problems if they invade lakes and streams. Not only can they clog water pipes and destroy boat engines, but they can cause significant damage to the aquatic ecosystems they sustain local plant and wildlife species,” said Josie Osborne, Minister for Lands, Water and Resource Management. Mandatory boat inspection stations are open across the province to prevent harmful zebra and quagga mussels from hitching a ride on boats and entering BC waterways.
