The larva of zebra and quagga mussels can’t be seen with the naked eye and can easily hide on your boat & equipment!
You can help prevent the introduction of invasive mussels by practicing to clean, drain and dry your watercraft and equipment. If you are transporting a watercraft in B.C. it is mandatory to stop at all watercraft inspection stations along your route. #CleanDrainDry #ProtectOurWaters
Next to prevention, the next best tool in our toolbox is early detection. During the 2021 field season, CKISS staff monitor local waterbodies for invasive mussels. Staff take plankton samples and send them away to a provincial lab to be analyzed for microscopic larvae called veligers.
CKISS has received a Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation grant, with funding provided by the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. The Ministry has received support for Invasive Mussel monitoring from Fisheries and Oceans Canada through the Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk. Additional funding has also been provided by Columbia Power and FortisBC.
