B.C.'s invasive mussel defence program is launching its fifth season Friday (May 31) with mussel-detection dog Major showing off his skills in West Kelowna.
Now through October, inspectors with the B.C. Conservation Officer Service will be at 12 inspection stations throughout the province, educating the public about invasive mussels and checking boats travelling into and through B.C. before they enter the water.
"With the addition of a second detection dog, we will be able to conduct more inspections to prevent these destructive species from entering our province," said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.
The program has grown to include 64 inspectors and detection dogs Kilo and now Major.
In his first year, Kilo conducted more than 900 inspections and detected invasive mussels on two boats.
This will be the first season for Major and his handler Sgt. Cynthia Mann.
The dogs are also trained to detect firearms, shell casings, human scent and bear parts.
- Quagga and zebra mussels have been found in Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec, as well as dozens of states in the United States.
- Unlike B.C.'s native mussels, zebra and quagga mussels attach to hard surfaces, allowing them to move between waterbodies by boats and equipment. The mussels multiply rapidly and are extremely difficult to eradicate once they become established in an area.
- Of the more than 40,000 boats inspected in 2018, 1,652 were identified as high risk; 288 decontamination orders were issued; and 228 boats were quarantined to meet the required 30-day drying time.
- Rob Gibson, Castanet
