Infested 'mussel' boat

Photo: Contributed

On the evening of March 12, a Canada Customs official notified the BC Conservation Officer service that they found what looked like zebra and/or quagga mussels on a large pleasure-craft boat being transported from the U.S., across the Osoyoos border.

The Canadian Border Services Agency currently has no legislative authority to refuse entry, however, the commercial transporter was cooperative.

With only three conservation officers based in Penticton, CSBA called the province's toll-free emergency response (RAPP) line.

Conservation officers were able to bring in a decontamination unit to decontaminate the vessel the following day.

The boat, which originated from Texas, was headed to the Central Okanagan to be moored in Okanagan Lake.

The Okanagan Basin Water Board has been urging the federal government to pass legislation, that is pending, that will allow border guards to stop and inspect watercraft and prohibit entry of contaminated vessels.