As residents of Saskatchewan get ready May Long Weekend and all the outdoor activities that come with it, the Ministry of Environment wishes to remind residents of the importance of keeping aquatic invasive species (AIS) at bay by recognizing Saskatchewan Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week.

Running from May 6, to 10, the Government of Saskatchewan uses this time to thank residents for doing their part to reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Following the Clean, Drain, Dry guidelines for watercraft, trailers, and equipment after each use is recommended to prevent the introduction of plants, fish or diseases that are unintentionally spread through recreational activities such as boating and fishing, and can negatively impact Saskatchewan's waterways.

The Clean, Drain, Dry protocol also applies to kayaks, canoes and paddleboards.

Watercraft inspection officers work throughout the summer as part of the Watercraft Inspection Program, which at designated points, will inspect watercraft and equipment for AIS. 

When traveling with watercraft in Saskatchewan it is important to watch for watercraft inspection signs, if you are transporting watercraft and encounter an active inspection station, you must stop, as failure to do so is against the law.

Thess inspections are done to prevent species such as zebra or quagga mussels from entering into western Canada.

Watercraft users should make inspection of their own watercraft part of their routine after each use and when moving between waterbodies, and ensure that watercraft are properly cleaned, drained and dried before being transported.

Saskatchewan works closely with other Canadian jurisdictions as well as the Canadian Border Security Agency to ensure that all watercraft entering the province are inspected for AIS.

To increase awareness, the Ministry of Environment will be sharing tips on their Saskatchewan Environment Facebook page throughout the week to help people identify AIS, understand the threats posed by these species and know how to prevent AIS from being unintentionally introduced to our waters. 

Members of the public can also help to monitor Saskatchewan for AIS through the Adult Invasive Mussel Monitoring (AIMM) program.

Remember, if you see an aquatic invasive species, call the toll-free TIPP line at 1-800-667-7561 to report it!

Once established, AIS have the potential to cost billions of dollars in losses to fisheries and other industries vulnerable to their impacts. For more information, visit:
Aquatic Invasive Species | Invasive Species | Government of Saskatchewan.