The threat of invasive species such as zebra mussels is a long standing one. Whenever people move in numbers, they risk destroying their surroundings by importing something that they either didn’t intend to transplant or didn’t foresee the consequences of releasing it.
Zebra mussels, when introduced, will deprive young salmon of food, reduce the amount of food available for sport fish, damage spawning areas, increase algal blooms, and hurt the value of waterfront property and tourism because their sharp shells can make beaches unusable. They will also clog water intakes.
Whether you are talking about chestnut blight, dutch elm disease, fire blight of pears and apples, the gypsy moth, the varroa mite of bees, or mussels, there is only one way to prevent their introduction: total quarantine.
Any time the procedure is voluntary or half hearted because we are afraid of stepping on someone’s toes, you might as well do nothing. Voluntary inspection will not work. Voluntary compliance will not work. Inspection stations on a few major routes that only open during the day will not work. Questionnaires will not work. Warnings and lectures will not work. Catchy slogans and ads and announcements by the Premier will not work. Manitoba is trying to close the barn door after the horse has already fled. Since mussels come in on boats and items used in lakes, the only way to prevent their introduction is an absolute ban on moving these things from areas with mussels to areas without them.
If you have a boat, by all means store it here and use it when you come. Our locals charge reasonable rates. Or rent a boat from one of our local marinas. (Which has the added advantage of nobody having the highway blocked by something that looks like it belongs to Bill Gates.) If you go to an area that has mussels, leave your boat at home and rent one there. Your gas bill and our salmon will thank you.
Richard Smiley