While flipping through emails last week, I quickly passed by one that spoke about the province’s efforts to stop invasive mussels from coming into Alberta lakes.
I assumed we had already covered the topic, and it was perhaps somewhat of a repeat of what I had already read. Then, I started seeing the topic show up across social media, by people that I knew, and I realized quickly that I had to go back and see what was going on.
On Friday, the Government of Alberta announced it was “exploring an annual pass for boats, jet skis, canoes, kayaks and other watercraft being used throughout the year.”
A survey is currently in place, where Albertans can go offer feedback about the proposal, and is open until Aug. 25.
I have agreed with the efforts in the past to stop the spread of Zebra and Quagga mussels, which involves mandatory watercraft inspections where boats were coming into the province from the south and the east – both determined to be high risk areas.
The province says it is also investing in K9 detection, buying more decontamination equipment and operating longer hours at the inspection stations. I can support these efforts. They feel like they are real things that could make a real difference.
“In 2024, 13,408 watercraft inspections were completed – the most since 2019 – and 15 watercrafts were confirmed positive for invasive mussels,” according to information from the provincial government.
I do agree that managing the spread of invasive mussels is likely much easier than dealing with the effects once they enter our lakes, but as someone with a couple of paddleboards sitting in my basement that only touch water of the lakes within the area I live in, I’m not fond of the idea of a blanket pass.
The province says funds from the annual pass would – reportedly – go toward fighting the invasive species. But it really just feels like another cost being handed down to everyday families who want to enjoy what is typically a low-cost outdoor activity.
I do support education. Encouraging people to properly clean their paddleboard, kayaks, and canoes. But I don’t support another annual fee, or the enforcement costs that would likely have to come with it. Because, if you’re asking people to pay, then you should probably make sure they are doing just that – or else the whole system fails.
Many Albertans with non-motorized watercraft like kayaks and paddleboards are not leaving the province on a regular basis – if at all. My paddleboard rarely even leaves the municipality that I live in.
I think every Albertan who cares about this topic should take the survey. Maybe I’m wrong and maybe this is the right way to go – either way, I would like to see the results of this survey once it is complete.
