LETTER: how to defend your favourite hobby from invasive species

If you like to fish, you may have noticed unfamiliar species showing up in your favourite lakes and rivers over the years. This isn’t part of a natural evolution that is shaping the way fish and other organisms get into our waterways – it is a disturbing and stubborn trend that has serious consequences for all.

Alien species are plants and animals introduced, by human action, outside their natural range. Invasive species are ones whose spread can threaten the environment, the economy or your health.

In fact, every year invasive plants cost the agriculture and forest industries in Canada about $7.3 billion. In Ontario, the impacts from zebra mussels alone cost between $75 million and $91 million per year.

Invasive species commonly hitch rides on boats, trailers, boating and fishing equipment, including bait buckets. Impacts from aquatic invasive species are broad and can include; reducing the number of native fish, and causing problems for native mussels (many of which are at risk). They can also damage the natural beauty of our lakes and waterways.

You can take action to stop the spread of these invaders. Here’s how:

• Don’t release your bait into a water body. Empty your bait bucket on land at least 30 metres from the water’s edge, or freeze/salt the bait to use later. Dispose of worms in the trash.
• Drain the water from your boat, including from the motor, live well and bilge.
• Remove all aquatic plants, mussels or other visible organisms from your boat and gear and put them in the garbage.
• Remove organisms you can’t see on your boat by rinsing with hot water, spraying with high-pressure water or drying it in the sun for five days.

You can report sightings of invasive species by calling the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters’ Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711 or by emailing info@invadingspecies.com.

You can also use the EDDMapS Ontario system to report sightings through your computer or smartphone.

Join in the fight against invasive species and protect your great outdoors. Learn more at Ontario.ca/InvasionON.