The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) knows a good bet when it smells one, committing $200,000 towards funding a UBC Okanagan (UBCO)-led pioneering research that aims to replicate dog’s ability to smell the DNA of invasive species.
The Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society (OASISS) is seeking the support of community dock owners for a citizen science project aimed at protecting Okanagan lakes from invasive mussels.
The war on aquatic invasive species was given a boost recently with British Columbia’s chief veterinarian issuing an order making it illegal to transport watercraft in the province with the drain plug still in place.
The Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society (OASISS) reports that Osoyoos Lake is free of invasive mussels this year.
The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) held their last meeting of the year on Oct. 6 when much talk focused on invasive mussels, drought, and water protection projects.
Right now the battle to keep zebra and quagga mussels – both aquatic invasive species – out of B.C. is being waged successfully thanks to rising awareness amongst the general public and critically the “boots on the ground” in the form of inspectors from the B.C. Conservation Officer Service.
Since 2015, B.C. has taken its fight against invasive zebra and quagga mussels to the streets with the Invasive Mussel Defence Program, which seeks to identify and quarantine contaminated water-faring vessels before they even reach the province.
The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) is asking the province to step up inspection and enforcement measures to prevent widespread invasive mussel infestations in high-risk Okanagan waters.