2022-Mar-02
Regulating Watercraft under Ontario’s Invasive Species Act
Aquatic invasive species such as Zebra mussels, round gobies, spiny water fleas, Eurasian milfoil can catch rides on watercraft and equipment. When they do, these invaders quickly alter the receiving water’s natural biodiversity causing fish habitat disruption and declines in the variety and number of fish species. Eventually, this harms sport fishing, swimming, and boating opportunities, and leads to declines in local tourism, commerce, and cottage real estate values. Many of us use various watercraft getting to and from our camps, finding fishing spots, or simply exploring local waters; but what happens when we decide to go to other lakes or rivers?
Urging Boaters to Clean their Watercraft
Several years ago GBA, working with the Federation of Ontario Cottagers Association and the Federation of Anglers and Hunters, posted signage at local marinas and boat launching sites urging boaters to be aware of aquatic invasives hitching rides. The “Don’t let Them Catch a Ride” campaign, asking boaters to clean, drain and wash their boats, trailers, and equipment, became part of Ontario’s Invading Species Awareness Program to stop aquatic invasive species from entering lakes and rivers where they haven’t historically existed.
Now, with more boaters and anglers visiting Ontario’s lakes and rivers, the province has expanded Ontario’s Invading Species Awareness Program by introducing regulations for watercraft as a carrier of invasive species through an amendment to the Invasive Species Act.
Starting January 1, 2022, boaters, including canoeists, kayakers and anglers are required to:
- Inspect their vehicles, trailers, watercraft, and equipment prior to reaching a launch site to ensure that they are not carrying any aquatic plants, animals, or algae;
- Take “reasonable measures”, after being on the water and prior to leaving a launch site or shore, by cleaning and removing any aquatic plants, animals or algae growth that may be on their vehicle, trailer, and equipment;
- Find alternative washing facilities to ensure boat and equipment are completely free of unwanted travelers (washing should be done quickly as some aquatic invasive species can survive up to two weeks out of water), should a launching site not have washing facilities, or the physical constraints of the operator prevent removal of invasives; and,
- Open all drain plugs to remove bilge water including water left in live bait wells when leaving a launch site and moving watercraft over land {unless the operator has a license allowing for the transporting of live fish under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act}. This regulation does not apply to drinking water, marine sanitary, and engine cooling systems.
Further Actions to Control Invasive Species
GBA will continue working with cottage associations and Boating Ontario to:
- Raise anglers’ and boaters’ awareness of invasive species and how to prevent their transmission;
- Extend the “Don’t let Them Catch a Ride” campaign by requesting local marinas and cottagers’ associations ensure signage has been posted at all launching sites;
- Continue to provide, through GBA updates, help to anglers and boaters on how to identify the various aquatic invasive species and limit their spread; and
- Work with Boating Ontario to urge anglers and boaters to report any sightings of aquatic invasive species by calling the Provincial Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711 or using the EDDMapS Ontario app.