Winnipeg, Manitoba - The Government of Canada is taking action to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic invasive species (AIS) such as Zebra and Quagga Mussels. These species threaten freshwater ecosystems, infrastructure, and the economy by reproducing rapidly, disrupting native habitats, damaging water intake systems, and creating costly challenges for industries and local communities. Canadians can help prevent the spread of AIS by properly cleaning, draining and drying their watercraft before moving them to new bodies of water.
This summer, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), in partnership with the Manitoba Government, conducted joint roadside inspections on Highway 1 (the Trans-Canada Highway) near the Manitoba-Ontario border to stop and inspect watercraft for AIS and to ensure they were cleaned, drained and dried before crossing the provincial border.
Following the success of a roadside inspection blitz in June, DFO and Manitoba jointly conducted a second blitz from August 22 to 24, 2025.
During the three-day inspection blitz, a total of 458 vehicles were stopped that were transporting 958 watercraft or related equipment. Of these:
- 740 watercraft were compliant with clean, drain, dry requirements
- 218 watercraft were not cleaned, drained, or dried and failed the AIS inspection
- 14 watercraft required decontamination and drivers were provided instructions on how to comply with prevention measures in the future
- 1 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.
