Keep fighting those mussels

Photo: File photo

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District Board is united in its battle against invasive mussels.

At the Dec. 7 board meeting, directors voted unanimously to send a letter to the Federal Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans Canada outlining support for a study to examine funding for programs dedicated to preventing and eliminating aquatic invasive species.

The board also asked for an examination of whether federal funds for these types of programs are distributed in an equitable way around the country.

Electoral Area C Director Paul Demenok said 80 per cent of the federal funding to fight aquatic invasive species is spent in the Great Lakes area.

"I think this is a terrific idea, we need to keep the pressure on. It is a very timely issue,” said Demenok.

Western provinces are currently free of invasive mussels, however, an infestation can happen rapidly should mussels ever be introduced to local lakes.

Mussels can be transported on boats from one water body to another, spreading the infestation. They have no natural predators and can dramatically alter the ecosystem.

The Shuswap Watershed Council notes the potential economic impact of aquatic invasive mussels to BC is estimated at $43 million in annual maintenance and remediation costs.