Province ramping up mandatory boat inspections to further protect against invasive mussels

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on May 17, 2025.

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

As boating season begins in Alberta, the provincial government is warning boat owners to expect to be inspected for invasive species.

Currently, the province remains 100 per cent free of zebra mussels and quagga mussels, but with reports increasing across the United States and Canada, the province is wary of the possibility of these invasive species entering Alberta’s waterways.

Zebra and quagga mussels destroy ecosystems, threaten shorelines and can cause hundreds of millions in damaged infrastructure, says the province. As such, mandatory inspections are required for anyone travelling with a boat, jet ski, kayak or other watercraft across the province’s southern or eastern borders.

“Alberta is the first province in Canada to make watercraft inspections mandatory when travelling from high-risk areas to fight these tiny invasive species,” said Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas. “With boating season now underway, we are stepping up to defend our water bodies and ecosystem to continue to protect Alberta jobs, businesses and the water infrastructure we rely on.”

From June 1 until Sept. 30, it is mandatory for all motorized and non-motorized watercraft to be inspected at one of Alberta’s inspection stations when crossing from the eastern or southern borders. If the closest inspection station is closed, Albertans and visitors must get their watercraft inspected within seven days and before launching into Alberta’s waters.

In conjunction with this, the province will provide a proof of inspection sticker for watercraft after they have passed inspection.

Failing to stop for a mandatory watercraft inspection could result in a $4,200 fine.

“I’m proud to support our government’s commitment to keep protecting Alberta’s waterways and water infrastructure. These mandatory stops are part of a broader plan to safeguard our province against environmentally and financially devastating aquatic invasive species,” said Grant Hunter, chair of the Provincial Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force and MLA for Taber-Warner. “Ensuring mandatory inspections further strengthens our mission to catch and stop any invasive mussels trying to enter our province.”

In 2024, 13,408 watercraft inspections were completed, and 15 watercraft were confirmed positive for invasive mussels. Eleven more inspection stations will be opened this year, increasing capacity with more staff and extended operating hours, along with K-9 detection and mobile decontamination units.

Albertans travelling with watercraft can find information on stations, operating hours and more at alberta.ca/watercraftinspections.

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