Ontario’s Fight Against Invasive Species Gets A New Tool
Yesterday, the Ontario Government made a big announcement with the introduction of the Invasive Species Act. If passed, the legislation will be the first of its kind in Canada, dealing specifically with prevention, early detection, quick response, and eradication of invasive species in Ontario.
Ontario is proud to introduce the Invasive Species Act which, if passed, would make Ontario a national leader in invasive species prevention and management. This proposed legislation would be a critical tool in our fight against the growing threat of invasive species, and for addressing the ecological and economic threats that invasive species pose to our province.
– David Orazietti, Minister of Natural Resources
Silver Carp
Photo credit – T. Lawrence, GLFC
Invasive species are plants, animals, or microorganisms, whose introduction or spread threatens ecological, social, or economic harm. Some species pose a human health risk, such as Giant Hogweed, which produces sap that can cause that increased sensitivity to light and result in severe burns to anyone who brushes against it. Invasive aquatic plants form dense mats that make it nearly impossible to boat through or swim through, and they crowd out native plant species, reducing food for fish. Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Fanwort are two examples.
Most anglers are aware of the impact of the invasive Zebra and Quagga Mussels. By filtering water at a remarkable rate to feed on plankton, they devastate the plankton communities, an important food source for fish that serves as the basis of food webs. Their sharp shells are a hindrance to recreational activities, cutting feet and fishing lines. As well, they can clog up pipes and boat motors, resulting in severe economic damage. It is estimated to cost $75 to $91 million per year to manage zebra mussels in Ontario.
Asian carp are one of the biggest threats facing Ontario and the Great Lakes. There are four species of Asian Carp that are of concern to this area: Bighead Carp, Silver Carp, Black Carp, and Grass Carp. Silver carp are the flying fish featured in many YouTube videos, and represent a major risk to recreational users of the lakes, such as boaters and swimmers. Two grass carp were recently found in the Grand River near Dunville, Ontario, causing concern for the prospects of Lake Erie. Fortunately, both fish were sterile. Should the Asian carp invade the Great Lakes, they would have a catastrophic impact on the $2.2 billion sportfishing industry. The proposed legislation would strengthen Ontario’s ability to ban the possession and transport of invasive species, such as Asian carp, and hopefully increase the enforcement required to be effective in this area.
While the legislation focuses on providing the government and its partners with the tools to respond faster and more effectively to the threat of spread or introduction, there are many ways the public can help in the fight against invasive species. Here are a few ways you can prevent the spread:
- Learn to identify the most common invasive species in your area.
- Inspect your boat for plant fragments and animals, and remove them before leaving the waterbody.
- Clean your boat before putting it in another waterbody, or allow it to dry for 5 days.
- Empty bait buckets on land.
- Never transport animals or plants to other areas.
- Do not move firewood – moving contaminated firewood is a major problem in the battle against the Emerald Ash Borer.
- Brush seeds off of your clothing and boots after hiking through the forest.
- Do not release animals into the wild. Many former pets gets released into the wild, and most of them can cause damage to the ecosystem they’re released into.
The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) has been at the forefront of the battle against invasive species with its Invading Species Awareness Program. The OFAH has stated its support of the new legislation, and its hope that the legislation will help their efforts.
Ontario is in need of strong tools to respond to invasive species, and the Invasive Species Act is a move in the right direction.
Report invasive species sightings to the Invasive Species Hotline by phone 1-800-563-7711, or by email at info@invadingspecies.com, or online at http://www.eddmaps.org/ontario/.
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