Winnipeg, Manitoba - The Government of Canada is conserving nature and biodiversity and protecting our freshwater, including by combatting aquatic invasive species (AIS), such as Zebra and Quagga Mussels. AIS pose a serious threat to Canada's freshwater ecosystems, infrastructure, and economy. These species reproduce rapidly, disrupt native habitats, damage water intake systems, and lead to costly impacts for industries and local communities.
To help protect Canada's waterways from these threats, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), in partnership with the Manitoba Government, conducted a joint roadside inspection blitz on Highway 1 (the Trans-Canada Highway) near the Manitoba-Ontario border from June 20 to 22, 2025. The goal was to stop and inspect watercraft for AIS and to ensure the watercraft were cleaned, drained and dried before crossing the provincial border.
During the three-day inspection blitz, DFO's AIS Core Program and Fishery Officers, along with Manitoba Conservation Officers, Patrol Officers, and staff from their AIS program, stopped and inspected a total of 383 vehicles transporting 436 watercraft or related equipment. Of these:
- 326 watercraft were compliant with clean, drain, dry requirements.
- 110 watercraft were not cleaned, drained, or dried and failed the AIS inspection.
- 38 watercraft required decontamination and drivers were provided with instructions on how to comply with prevention measures in the future.
- 2 watercraft had visible Zebra Mussels present.
Preventing the introduction and spread of AIS is essential to safeguarding Canada's waterways. Inspecting watercraft and ensuring they are properly cleaned, drained, and dried helps prevent AIS from being introduced to, and established in, new bodies of water.
A second joint roadside inspection blitz is planned for later this year.
