GBA 2022 - Summer Update

INVASIVE SPECIES

By Bill Steiss, Chair, Fisheries Committee

Regulating Watercraft Under Ontario’s Invasive Species Act

M any of us use various watercraft getting to and from our camps, finding fishing spots, or simply exploring local waters – but what happens when we go to other lakes or rivers? Recent changes to Ontario laws regulating watercraft aim to reduce the chance that we will carry invasive animals and plants from one body of water to another. The Threat of Invasives Aquatic invasive species such as zebra mussels, round gobies, spiny waterfleas, or Eurasian milfoil can catch rides on watercraft and equipment. When they do, these invasives could quickly alter the water’s

Act. Starting January 1, 2022, boaters, including canoeists, kayakers, and anglers are required to: ≥ Prior to reaching a launch site, inspect their vehicles, trailers, watercraft, and equipment ensuring 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

natural biodiversity, causing fish habitat disruption and declines in the variety and number of fish species. Eventually, this could harm sport fishing, swimming, and boating opportunities, and lead to declines in local tourism, commerce, and cottage real estate.

Try to wash down your boat after pulling it from the water.

≥ Should a launching site not have washing facilities, or the physical constraints of the operator prevent removal of invasives, the operator should find alternative washing facilities to ensure boat and equipment are completely free of unwanted travellers (washing should be done quickly, as some aquatic invasives can survive up to two weeks out of water) ≥ Leaving a launch site and moving watercraft over land, the operator must open all drain plugs to remove bilge water, including water left in live bait wells Further Actions to Control Invasives 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. GBA will also extend the Don’t let Them Catch a Ride campaign by ensuring local marinas and cottagers’ associations have posted signage at all launching sites. GBA will also continue providing information to

Eurasian Milfoil

Photo: Invasive Species Centre

Urging Boaters to Clean Their Watercraft Several years ago, GBA, working with the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Association and the Ontario 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, is part of Ontario’s Invasives Species Awareness Program (ISAP: www.invadingspecies.com ) to stop aquatic invasives from entering lakes and rivers where they haven’t historically existed.

New Laws to Regulate Watercraft With more boaters and anglers than ever before visiting Ontario’s lakes and rivers, the government has stepped up the ISAP by regulating watercraft as a carrier of invasive species through an amendment to the Invasive Species

anglers and boaters on how to identify the various aquatic invasives and limit their spread. As well, GBA will work with Boating Ontario to urge anglers and boaters to report any sightings of aquatic invasives by calling the provincial Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563- 7711.

www.georgianbay.ca

GBA UPDATE Summer 2022

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