B.C. Conservation Officer Cynthia Mann and her partner K9 Major conduct a mussel inspection demonstration. Major is one of two dogs in B.C. trained to sniff out invasive mussels.
Image Credit: Submitted/OBWB-OkWaterWise
September 22, 2025 - 6:00 PM
The BC Wildlife Federation has petitioned the federal government after a boat with invasive mussels was caught heading to the Okanagan last week.
The boat headed for the Okanagan had invasive mussels and standing lake water in its bilge. The petition is asking for the federal government to spend money to take more action against invasive mussels like zebra mussels and quagga mussels, according to a press release from the federation issued today, Sept. 22.
“If you drink water, pay taxes, enjoy the beach, or fishing, you should be concerned about invasive mussels,” the federation’s executive director Jesse Zeman said in the release. “We have taken this unusual step to ensure that the threat of infestation of B.C.’s freshwater systems is properly addressed to avoid economic and environmental harm to British Columbians, fish and wildlife, public utilities, businesses, and First Nations.”
The petition requires cabinet ministers to answer 10 questions, and the ministers have 120 days to respond.
“Given that the Province of Ontario receives double what the Province of BC receives from the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund, what enforcement measures does the federal government intend to use to ensure mussels do not ruin BC waters? If no enforcement measures are intended to be created, please explain why,” the petition asks the Minister of Fisheries, Joanne Thompson.
The Okanagan Basin Water Board has been sounding the alarm about invasive mussels for years, and the B.C. Conservation Officer Service regularly checks boats transported into the province to make sure they don’t have any mussels clinging on for a free ride.
“BC Wildlife Federation’s petition highlights how urgent this issue has become. We need immediate federal leadership and funding to ensure B.C. is not left facing the devastating costs of an infestation,” the water board’s COO James Littley said in the release.
Last year Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced it's spending $8.75 million to combat the spread of quagga and zebra mussels.
Anyone bringing a boat into B.C. is required to stop at all invasive mussel inspection stations on the way. Failure to stop could result in a $690 fine.
The federation has been trying to promote safe clean and dry procedures for boats to make sure invasive mussels aren't brought into B.C. It's required by law that all boats transported in B.C. have drainage holes unplugged or left open.
The provincial government estimates that if invasive mussels got into B.C. waterways it could cause between $64 million and $129 million in damages each year. Invasive mussels could impact important fish species like rainbow trout and kokanee salmon, they can carry water-borne toxins and die in the millions creating a powerful stench.
“What is missing from the fight to save our fish, beaches, lakes, and rivers is a commitment from the federal government to ensure that our efforts are up to the task,” Zeman said. “Without federal leadership and investment, the work already being done by provincial and Indigenous partners risks will be outpaced by the scale and speed of this growing crisis.”
The petition cites several pieces of legislation that the federation said requires the government to act like the Fisheries Act, the Species at Risk Act, and the Canada Shipping Act, and Ottawa’s commitment to UNDRIP and DRIPA.
“It’s past time for the federal government to justify its inaction in the face of a significant environmental and economic threat, or act in proportion to the threat,” said Zeman.
Click here for the full petition.
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