MLA calls for measures to stop zebra mussel spread

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This article was published 02/12/2023 (710 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The MLA for Clear Lake is calling on the provincial government to take further action to stop the spread of zebra mussels after Parks Canada confirmed their discovery last week.

In a media release, Riding Mountain Progressive Conservative MLA Greg Nesbitt called for the addition of provincial boat inspection stations in Dauphin and Russell, for the province to work with Parks Canada to prevent the spread of the mussels to downstream tributaries, and to implement a regular water sampling schedule of those tributaries to monitor any potential spread.

Nesbitt is the Opposition shadow minister for environment and climate change and was previously the minister of natural resources in the Stefanson government.

“Zebra mussels are a serious threat to our environment and economy,” Nesbitt was quoted as saying in the release.

“Once established in a water body, they cannot be eradicated and the damage they can cause can’t be overstated. Should these zebra mussels leave Clear Lake, their effects will be felt downstream in Minnedosa, Brandon, Portage la Prairie, Winnipeg and all points in between including First Nation communities.”

Speaking to the Sun by phone, Nesbitt said the presence of an invasive species in the lake could be enough to turn visitors away. If the lake still allows watercraft to operate on its waters, he added that they’ll have to be carefully decontaminated.

Nesbitt said he thinks Natural Resources Minister Jamie Moses is likely doing the right things in response so far, but now is the time to get funds for additional measures placed in next year’s provincial budget.

“I think the minister’s got time here to get things prepared for next spring,” he said. “As the Opposition here and the MLA for Riding Mountain, I certainly want the government to do everything they can to protect our pristine lakes in my area.”

Though Nesbitt said he had yet to speak with Moses directly on the issue, he expressed hope that the two could meet up to discuss an issue that goes beyond politics and into protecting the province’s natural resources.

He said efforts will be best spent on educating Manitobans on how to prevent the further spread of the species and not on trying to find out exactly how they got in the lake.

Asked about the confirmation of the invasive aquatic species in the lake at this week’s Association of Manitoba Municipalities conference in Brandon, Moses said the province had “spooled up” its incident response protocol and was working with Parks Canada on the issue.

In a phone interview on Friday, Moses said the discovery of zebra mussels in the lake was “disconcerting” given previous efforts to inspect watercraft and prevent their spread.

Moses said that during the AMM conference, he heard from municipalities concerned about the news and he wants to work in partnership with them and Parks Canada to develop preventive measures to stop the mussels from spreading further.

Despite the arrival of winter conditions, Moses said the mussels could still be able to spread and Manitobans need to be vigilant when carrying out activities like ice fishing.

“That’s why we’re encouraging all Manitobans to again clean, drain and dry all watercraft whenever they are leaving water bodies and rivers across Manitoba,” he said.

“In addition, as we come into the spring, we’ll continue to be proactive with communicating with Manitobans so they have the most up-to-date information and tools they need to help limit the spread of zebra mussels.”

In an email, a Parks Canada representative said no decisions regarding the lake have been made yet.

“Parks Canada remains committed to working will all levels of government to explore options to minimize the impact of zebra mussels in Clear Lake,” the email said. “No decisions about the management of the lake have been made at this time. More information will be shared when it is available.”

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